CUC sues ex-electrical inspector for $139k

(CNS): Grand Cayman’s power supplier has turned to the civil courts to try and recoup almost $139,000 from a former government electrical inspector who was convicted last year of power poaching from Caribbean Utilities Company for almost seven years. Neville Faulknor (46), from George Town, was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay compensation of $138,395.75 to CUC after he pleaded guilty.

But the power firm claims in a civil action filed last month that Faulknor has made no payments to the company since he was convicted of tampering with the CUC metres and abstracting power straight from the pole himself.

Faulkner was the owner of a George Town property, where he lived with his family and two sets of tenants. He had not paid a CUC bill since September 2007, as he had bypassed the CUC metre and directed power from a street utility pole. The electricity stealing was uncovered when CUC staff found the meter had been tampered with and the power supply to the house was switched off. However, the employees saw power was still going to the premises and they discovered wires under the ground leading to the house from a pole.

When confronted, Faulknor admitted bypassing his metre and explained that he had been having mental health problems. During his sentencing hearing in Summary Court Faulknor’s lawyer said he would not have done what he did but for stress and financial difficulties. Faulknor said he knew how and “voices” told him he could do it to relieve the pressure. Backed up by a medical report, the court said the mental health issues had to be considered and the effect prison would have on him. As a result, the magistrate suspended his 14-month jail term for two years.

Faulknor said he wanted to pay back the money but because of the offence he had been sacked from his government job and although he had found another one, his income had fallen. Efforts to get a loan to pay off the debt were unsuccessful and he could therefore pay only $1,000 per month.

At that rate it would take Faulkner eleven years to pay the amount owed but the magistrate made the compensation order giving Faulknor just two years to pay with room for him to return to the court for an extension. Should Faulknor default, he would be liable to a further six months in jail.

In its statement of claim filed with the courts, CUC says that since the sentencing hearing last August, Faulkner has made no payments against the debt and the firm is therefore taking legal action in the civil courts to recover the principal debt, costs and any other damages.