By By Suzanne Monk/The Meridian Star
July 26, 2001
Mississippi Power Co. has filed simultaneous breach of contract lawsuits against Comcast Cablevision in Lauderdale, Forest and Jones counties, seeking payment of outstanding invoices.
Mississippi Power spokesman Kurt Brautigam said Wednesday the total amount of the invoices in all three counties is about $200,000. The amount sought in the civil suit filed in Lauderdale County Circuit Court is $86,698.55.
Brautigam said the Lauderdale County charges are for allowing Comcast to attach cable television or telecommunications equipment to Mississippi Power poles in Meridian, Marion, Toomsuba, Lauderdale and Russell.
Bills sent to Comcast after the audit are unpaid, Brautigam said, as are charges for new pole attachments in 2001. The contract between Mississippi Power and Comcast requires the cable company to pay all charges within 30 days.
A final demand letter was sent May 9. The three civil suits were filed July 12. The action also seeks reimbursement of all court costs and attorney's fees associated with the lawsuits.
Comcast spokesman Jenni Moyer declined to comment Wednesday; she said it is the company's policy not to discuss pending litigation.
Suzanne Monk is managing editor of The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3229, or e-mail her at smonk@themeridianstar.com.