Lead attorneys in class action against ComEd reveal details about energy price-jacking scheme
CHICAGO —Romanucci & Blandin, LLC and DiCello Levitt LLC as co-lead counsel in the class action against ComEd for the impact of its admitted bribery scheme provided comments about efforts by its parent company, Exelon, to threaten Illinois lawmakers who are currently considering a bailout of the utility. Exelon claims it needs additional state funding because its nuclear plants are not profitable.
The class action legal team has information to counter this narrative and wants to ensure that the Governor, lawmakers, and residents are aware of the corporate shell game before a final vote on a bailout.
“The extortion efforts underway by Exelon in Springfield are both insulting to residents and not forthcoming of the company’s true financial position. Their claims that their nuclear plants are not profitable are patently false and we have the data to prove that. Our discovery related to the class action lawsuit has revealed a detailed corporate scheme of selling energy to subsidiaries and raising the price before selling it to consumers. We urge Illinois lawmakers and the Governor to fully inform themselves before making any decision on a bailout for the utility,” said attorney Adam Levitt of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC.
“ComEd’s corruption has cost consumers and businesses in Illinois far too much for far too long. And adding insult to injury, they are now not being straight about how they jack up the price of energy by trading it within their corporate entities, resulting in an ultimate sale to consumers that is twice what it cost to produce. Exelon says it is losing money growing lemon trees, but not telling you it is making a fortune selling lemonade,” said attorney Stephan Blandin of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
The class action lawsuit on behalf of consumers and businesses alleging that Commonwealth Edison violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and unjustly enriched itself by overcharging its 4 million customers in Illinois for years. The recent $200MM ComEd agreement to pay the government following a federal bribery investigation does nothing to compensate the individuals and businesses who actually overpaid. The lawsuit was filed July 27, 2020 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division.
About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Romanucci & Blandin is a national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death arising from police misconduct, corporate negligence, civil rights actions, medical malpractice, mass torts and class actions. The attorneys’ steadfast commitment to fighting for those seeking justice around the country has helped the firm obtain multiple verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars. The Chicago-based personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing victims who suffered injury as a result of another’s wrongdoing full and fair compensation in a diligent, professional, skilled and caring manner. The lawyers actively support their communities and provide advocacy at the national, state and local levels on issues that support the U.S. tort system. Founded in 1998, Romanucci & Blandin is widely recognized for representing plaintiffs in numerous practice areas including: personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, pharmaceutical, mass torts, civil rights, police misconduct, excessive force, aviation, product liability and premises liability. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.
About DiCello Levitt
At DiCello Levitt, we’re dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, and personal injury litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases—whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise—for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations—and our capital—on the line for our clients.
The DiCello Levitt Trial Advocacy Center proactively assists in all aspects of litigation strategy, framing, and trial preparation, with an in-house focus grouping and mock jury practice, using those tools to streamline cases, refine case messaging, and focus discovery on message-specific issues from the outset of litigation. For more information about DiCello Levitt, please visit www.dicellolevitt.com or call (312) 214-7900.