DWP Bill Dispute Leaves Mid-City Print Shop In Dark

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Inside a print shop on La Cienega Boulevard, the lights were out, three employees were sent home, and more than a dozen customers were turned away on Tuesday.

There was no electricity to keep 4 Color Printing & Signs running because the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power turned off the power Tuesday morning.

Owner George Benitez admitted he was sometimes behind on his payments.

But when he got a bill saying he owed $4,143.93, he was in shock. "I was willing to do a payment plan. But I said before I do a payment plan, I want to be able to lets see what I owe," Benitez said.

He said he just wanted an explanation of the drastic increase. But before he received an explanation, the utility disconnected his water and electricity on the say day his bill was due.

"There's nothing I can do. All I can do is do what I'm doing and complaining. Hopefully, somebody listens," he added.

The DWP released a statement: "The bill issued to Mr. Benitez for $4,100 is accurate. When this bill was issued to Mr. Benitez, LADWP offered payment plans which Mr. Benitez refused."

With the help of an extension cord, Benitez borrowed electricity from a neighbor to run his computer while he waited for an explanation and considered his options.