Fair enough. Thanks for the insight.

One clarification: On the jobs that I worked with Spradlin we were a subcontractor. Therefore I know nothing about how those jobs were bid and, as far as I know, they were above board in billing, etc.

The point is that when a company is struggling it is one heck of a temptation to over-bill.

Another thing to remember is that Spradlin had some real costs in doing this work. Not everything they got awarded was profit.

The PUD knew that. That's why they paid approximately $2.5 million already. That would be cost plus normal profit. The rest of it, in my opinion is profit from the trebled rates and never before charged surcharges and driver costs that were always included in the truck rate before, etc.

Anyone see the article in the paper today? PUD paid Spradlin $4.43 Million and Spradlin is now complaining that it's $200,000 less than what they expected AND that they're extremely frustrated because the PUD sent the check to the court instead of directly to them. Personally, arguing over 200k when you're getting 4.43 mil is a bit much and then bitching because they didn't want to deal directly with your ass, is over the top. Hope the PUD has learned their lesson and won't deal with Spradlin ever again.