Lord Acton, back in 1887, stated, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It was true then, and all these years later, it is still true here in Lakeland, Florida.
Lakeland commissioners have perpetrated the Great Lakeland Electric Rebate Rip-off. They denied over 1,000 rebates, totaling over $344K. The victims include a blind lady and a grandma whose grandson was in the NICU for five weeks! They believe they are untouchable, which brings out the arrogance, audacity, and hypocrisy that absolute power creates.
Mike Musick: “I would like to change the name from a rebate because, I agree with you, if I’m going to apply for something and it’s a rebate, I’d expect that rebate to be fully funded.”
It was, and still is, titled the Lakeland Electric Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. Sara McCarley: ” Because I’m like the mayor, if I apply for a rebate, by God, I’d better get my money.”
Mayor Mutz outright lies, but he is smiling when he says them. The others are either heartless or oblivious to the reality of the situation.
People submitted their rebates, were falsely told the program was “out of money,” and then told to come back in eight months, when the next FY funding would be added. This wasn’t a problem, because the submission timeframe was one year.
Lakeland Electric AGM Matthew Bush then changed the rules, requiring submission within 90 days.
He stated, “It was a well thought out process, and wasn’t intended to cut anybody out.” But that’s exactly what he did, even boasting about it. They never thought anybody would uncover their secret March 2nd email, “now and in October.” Absolute proof it was a scheme to defraud people. And, contrary to Matthew Bush’s false statement to the commissioners, the program ended the FY with a surplus of over $13K, not a deficit of $13,247!
Lakeland Electric GM Mike Beckham took time off from running Lakeland Electric to send me an email. He told me about their big meeting, where they made many improvements, such as the “trough” instead of the “bucket.”
But no, they’re not doing anything for the hundreds of victims, mocking the situation they created. However, but for his email, I wouldn’t have known about their meeting, where their lies and hypocrisy were exposed. No legitimate or respectable utility would operate this way, and as expected, I found none, despite extensive research.
Matthew Bush siphoned almost $49K from the program, illegally in my opinion. His “Paperless Billing Incentive Program” gave a kickback to people who switched to electronic billing. This gave them instantaneous savings on postage. Lakeland Electric is dangerously close to their debt limit. Mayor Mutz says it is indefensible, then defends it through his apathy.
The Florida Public Services Commission states they’re powerless. Ashley Moody, Florida’s Attorney General, says, “Work with City Manager Shawn Sherrouse.” Shawn Sherrouse defers to the commissioners. The commissioners have apparently ordered the City Attorney Palmer Davis not to pay any rebate to any of these victims.
The city attorney said that he’s got a $200K budget allocated to fight my $200 small claims case, stating I could “set a precedent.”
And I can, since I’m correct, “Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice” is not a license to swindle, as he states. I have both case law, Stover v. Experian, Rodman v. Safeway Inc., and an American Bar Association memo about this, which of course the city attorney knows about too.
Lakeland Electric GM Mike Beckham said that if people find out, “that could grow into a real firestorm.”
Fortunately, there is still “the power of the press.” When people know the truth, politicians must act honorably, even if it’s just an act.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.