Regulators: PG&E  higher-ups aware  of snooping

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California energy regulators say the former Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employee who spied on SmartMeter opponents did not act alone.

A review by the California Public Utilities Commission concluded that William Devereaux forwarded e-mails he collected while using a false identity to snoop to his boss and other senior PG&E managers. The San Jose Mercury News reports (http://bit.ly/IbONmE) that the review was released late Wednesday.

Devereaux resigned in 2010 after acknowledging using the false name to try to join an online group opposed to the utility's SmartMeters.

PG&E initially claimed he acted alone.

PG&E spokesman Greg Snapper says the utility has since developed training instructions for employees about the professional use of social media.

The state PUC will now decide whether to fine the utility.

Outraged car owner  torches Caddy in DMV lot

REDWOOD CITY  (AP) — A 64-year-old Daly City man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he torched a Cadillac parked at his local DMV office because he was angry his own car had been towed away for having expired tags.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Thursday that Hugo Carranza was charged with felony vandalism and arson after he allegedly doused the Cadillac's tires with oil or gas and lit them on fire Monday.

A surveillance camera caught the actions on video, and Carranza turned himself into a Daly City police officer who showed up to investigate.

Wagstaffe says the vehicle did not belong to a DMV employee, but Carranza thought it did.

Carranza had told the San Francisco police officer who arranged for the tow in October he needed his car for his house cleaning business.

Feds target 2 pot  dispensaries in Novato

NOVATO  (AP) — Federal prosecutors are going after two marijuana dispensaries in Novato.

The Marin Independent Journal reports (http://bit.ly/IQyECW) that the U.S. Attorney's Office filed court papers this week to seize the properties that house the Green Door Wellness Education Center and the Green Tiger.

The two dispensaries are in adjacent suites at the same location.

The Green Tiger has since closed its doors. Scot Candell, an attorney for the dispensary, says its operators did not want the landlords to lose their property.

The Green Door is still operating. Director Lawrence Pebbles says it will remain open unless it receives a direct order to close.

Federal prosecutors announced a crackdown on pot dispensaries in California last year.

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