Prosecutors close to wrapping up case against PG&E

Federal prosecutors plan to wind up their pipeline-safety case against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. next week without testimony from some high-ranking PG&E personnel who had previously been listed as witnesses.

[...] missing was Leslie McNiece, who was hired by PG&E in 2012 to improve its record-keeping and, according to prosecution court filings, was prepared to testify that higher-ups resisted her efforts.

The utility is charged with 12 felony violations of laws that require gas pipeline operators to inspect and test lines, using specified methods for potential hazards, and prohibit knowingly keeping inaccurate records.

The obstruction charge was a subject of Friday’s testimony by Calvin Lui, manager of the PG&E unit that determines maximum internal pressures on gas pipelines.

Jurors saw a memo Lui sent to an engineer working for him in March 2010 that said gas pressure in a pipeline was supposed to rise to the maximum federal limit, “but no more than 10 percent over.”