Watchdog groups ask U.S. attorney to probe utility case

Two private watchdog groups have asked the new U.S. attorney in Indianapolis to investigate an ethics flap that has embroiled the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke Energy.

The Citizens Action Coalition and Common Cause/Indiana want U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett to investigate the matter in which IURC general counsel Scott Storms continued presiding over some matters involving the utility while seeking a job with the company.

Hogsett spokeswoman Mary Bippus said Thursday his office does not confirm or deny any investigations.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has fired the IURC's former chairman, the Indiana inspector general has filed ethics charges against Storms and North Carolina-based Duke has suspended him while it has an attorney investigate the matter for it. The IURC has reopened Duke matters that Storms worked on.