City of Jackson files lawsuit against Siemens Corporation for “massive fraud” operation
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced during a press conference Tuesday that the City of Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Siemens related to the city’s dysfunctional water meter and billing system.
On June 24, the Mississippi Supreme Court appointed Senior Status Judge Frank Vollor of Vicksburg to preside over the Hinds County Circuit Court case of City of Jackson v. Siemens. Judge Vollor is a retired circuit judge. The Supreme Court cause number is 2019-AP-1015
The lawsuit seeks to recover money lost to the city that was caused by Siemens misconduct.
The mayor says the company failed to deal honestly with the city, manipulated the city’s policy for creating business and job opportunities for citizens and burdened the city with one of the most expensive municipal water meters and billing systems in the country.
“We believe the citizens of Jackson are innocent and they deserve compensation for the wrong done,” said Mayor Lumumba.
Siemens failure is allegedly costing the city more than $20 million each year.
Siemens released the following statement in response to the lawsuit: Siemens’ work on the project has been validated by an independent, third-party review performed by West Monroe Partners, who was hired by the city of Jackson and performed its work under the city’s direction. Siemens has gone above and beyond its contractual obligations to help address the city’s well-known challenges, which are complex. While Siemens has not yet reviewed the complaint, it is disappointed the city has taken this action and will respond through the appropriate legal channels.
The City is seeking $225 million in actual & consequential damages, along with separate punitive damages in the eight-count suit that alleges Siemens committed acts that include fraud, conspiracy and breach of contract.
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