JACKSON, Mich., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a jury verdict in favor of Consumers Energy in a stray voltage case brought by Paul and Judy Vandenberg, of Allegan County in 1992.
The Vandenbergs had discussed their claims with CBS' "60 Minutes" correspondent Ed Bradley in a nationwide broadcast in April 1991. Despite information disputing the credibility of the claims which was provided to "60 Minutes" from Consumers Energy, and from agricultural stray voltage experts at Michigan State University and Cornell University, the story was rebroadcast on "60 Minutes" in June 1992.
The Court of Appeals has also affirmed the judge's award of $290,000 in costs and attorney fees to Consumers Energy in this case.
"As the jury determined and as the Court of Appeals affirmed, the Vandenbergs clearly had no legitimate claims against Consumers Energy. We will not hesitate to defend the interests of our customers, employees and shareholders against suspect claims for stray voltage damage, including the recovery of litigation costs," said Consumers Energy's vice president for electric transmission and distribution, Carl L. English.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: CMS), is Michigan's largest utility providing natural gas and electricity to more than six million of the state's nine and one-half million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information regarding Consumers Energy, there is website access at http://www.consumersenergy.com
SOURCE Consumers Energy
Web site: http: //www.consumersenergy.com
CONTACT: Jeff Holyfield of Consumers Energy, 517-788-2394
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