PUC to Probe GTE California Program

The state Public Utilities Commission says it will investigate the marketing practices of a GTE California program for non-English speakers as well as allegations that the company provided misleading information. The PUC ordered a formal investigation, following GTE’s admission in November that some management employees altered a document and misled the PUC. The commission can impose financial penalties on a regulated utility for violating PUC ethical rules. GTE California, based in Thousand Oaks, serves 3.3 million customers. In 1993, the PUC reported that the company had uncovered improper activity in its Foreign Language Assistance Center, which sells phone services to non-English-speaking customers. GTE refunded nearly $2 million to customers who had been charged for services they had not requested and also paid $3.2 million to the state for consumer education.