FBI investigates Puerto Rico Whitefish power contract: WSJ

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(Reuters) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a $300 million contract that Puerto Rico’s government power company awarded to a U.S.-based energy startup, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The contract between Whitefish Energy Holdings and Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power utility came under fire after it was revealed last week that the terms were obtained without a competitive public bidding process.

Whitefish had more than 350 workers and 2,500 tons of heavy equipment on the ground for rebuilding electrical lines destroyed in Hurricane Maria, raising concern about Puerto Rico’s management of federal disaster-relief funds to the island, the WSJ reported. (http://on.wsj.com/2zjM0vi)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, multiple congressional committees and local auditors have begun requesting documents about the deal, according to the WSJ.

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A Whitefish spokesman said the company was not aware of any such investigation and that it “is committed to full cooperation with any inquiry or investigation.”

The FBI’s office in Puerto Rico did not respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Anirban Paul in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva)