F. Greenlining/LIF's Rule 1 and 1.5 Motion
Concurrently with its request, Greenlining/LIF filed a motion seeking imposition of sanctions on Applicants for proceeding to hearing in this case even though they knew the merger was in trouble. They claim that once there was evidence that the merger might not clear regulatory hurdles, Applicants committed an ethical violation pursuant to Commission Rule 153 meriting sanctions pursuant to Rule 1.5 by not seeking to delay the proceedings.54 We find no merit to the motion and deny it. While we wish that no party had been forced to expend time on a merger that did not occur, we believe the record that was developed in this proceeding will be of use in other contexts. Moreover, we do not see the wisdom of forcing a party with a controversial application to abey it pending other regulatory action.
53 "Any person who signs a pleading or brief, enters an appearance at a hearing, or transacts business with the Commission, by such act represents that he or she is authorized to do so and agrees to comply with the laws of this State; to maintain the respect due to the Commission, members of the Commission and its Administrative Law Judges; and never to mislead the Commission or its staff by an artifice or false statement of fact or law."
54 "The Commission may impose such penalties and sanctions, or make any other order, as it deems appropriate to ensure the integrity of the formal record and to protect the public interest."
