The outside counsel of Jenner & Block will assist the Commission in determining if members were misled in the merger approval process. Just minutes after the merger took effect, the new Duke Energy board fired Bill Johnson, the Progress Energy executive who had been touted as leading the new firm. 

 

 The Commission initially held hearings to receive the testimony of James E. Rogers, William D. Johnson and four members of Duke’s board of directors. The Commission has also requested the production of certain documents related to its investigation.

 

In the news release announcing the law firm's hiring, the commission noted that costs associated with the investigation will be charged to Duke -- by law -- and will not be passed on to its customers.