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Lawsuit against Maine utility withdrawn, could be refiled

Lawsuit against Maine utility withdrawn, could be refiled

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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A cybersecurity expert has withdrawn a lawsuit that accused the parent company of Maine’s largest utility of bid rigging, but vowed to file a new complaint soon.

Paulo Silva, chief executive officer of Security Limits Inc. of Pennsylvania, also accused Avangrid of racketeering and buying unnecessary equipment in his lawsuit. Avangrid, the parent company of Central Maine Power, denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against Silva and his company.

Avangrid representatives said in a statement Thursday that Security Limits has voluntarily dismissed its case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Avangrid president Robert Kump said the company “will continue to seek relief against Security Limits and Silva to the fullest extent of the law.”

Silva said in a statement that he stands by the allegations in his complaint and is exploring a change of venue for the case.

Silva’s lawsuit alleged Avangrid built warehouses to house unused equipment knowing costs could be recovered via higher electricity rates for Maine customers. Avangrid adamantly denied the allegation and described Silva as a disgruntled former contractor.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills said in December that the allegations in the lawsuit were “alarming and deeply troubling.”

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