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photo credit: (Credit: KQED)
In a not entirely unexpected move, the company entered a not guilty plea on all 33 counts. Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch's office is prosecuting the case. Her office declined comment.
Charges were filed against the utility following a CalFire investigation that determined the blaze was sparked by PG&E transmission lines near Geyserville.
The fire broke out October 23rd 2019. It injured four people and destroyed 174 homes and 200 other structures. It burnt nearly 78,000 acres.
PG&E spokesman James Noonan, in a written statement provided to KRCB, says the company accepts CalFire's determination that it's equipment sparked the fire, but that no crime was committed.
Noonan says the utility intends to challenge all of the charges. The company earlier unsuccessfully sought to have 22 of the charges dismissed.
A judge is expected to issue a ruling on discovery next Friday, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 8th.
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