II. BACKGROUND
In early November 2010, several news media sources reported that a senior director of PG&E's SmartMeter Program, William Devereaux, admitted to anonymously joining a couple of anti-smart meter consumer advocacy groups.
CPSD conducted an investigation into the activities of Mr. Devereaux. CPSD's Report describes Mr. Devereaux as the public face of PG&E's SmartMeter Program from October 2009 through October 2010.1 Mr. Devereaux resigned from PG&E in November 2010. Based on evidence gathered during its investigation, CPSD concluded that:
1. PG&E violated PU Code Section 451 by failing to furnish just and reasonable service when Mr. Devereaux lied about his identity to infiltrate online smart meter discussion groups in order to spy on their activities and discredit their views; and
2. PG&E senior management knew of Mr. Devereaux's deceit before it was reported in the press and failed to prevent and stop his inappropriate behavior.
PG&E conducted its own internal investigation into Mr. Devereaux's activities beginning November 9, 2010 and concluding on December 17, 2010. Based on the evidence gathered from Mr. Devereaux's PG&E-issued laptop and his internet searches, PG&E concluded that:
1. Mr. Devereaux violated PG&E's Employee Code of Conduct as well as the Company's Core Values and the Expectations of our Leaders;
2. Mr. Devereaux was actively involved in intelligence gathering and he performed this task using a false identity; and
3. Mr. Devereaux provided inappropriate comments and opinions on at least four occasions while using a false identity.2
1 Public Appearances of William Devereaux Relating to the SmartMeterTM Program, PG&E December 10, 2010, response to DR1 question # 19, Attachment CPSD_001-19-1, page 1 of 1. (CPSD Staff Report, Attachment 2.)
2 PG&E response to DR1, December 10, 2010, Attachment CPSD_001-01Supp01-1, page 2. (CPSD Staff Report, Attachment 6.)
