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Stunned Couple Ask Watts Up With $99,999 TECO Bill

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By NATALIE SHEPHERD | News Channel 8

Published: January 22, 2008

TAMPA - A man and his roommate got quite a surprise when they opened their electric bill Friday.

The Tampa Electric Co. bill showed the couple owed almost $100,000.

"I have no idea how I ended up with a $100,000 electric bill," Richard Grieshop said. "There's no way. I don't think anyone uses that in a lifetime."

Grieshop and his roommate, Lynda Williams, live in a one-bedroom mobile home. Both use wheelchairs and live on fixed incomes.

Their power had been turned off during the holidays, but with help from friends and social services, they got the lights turned back on about two weeks ago, Grieshop said.

"I have cancer of the esophagus. I have problems breathing. I have to have breathing equipment. Lynda's paralyzed; she has to have it for her electric wheelchair."

Grieshop said he called TECO and was told to pay up or face having his power turned off again.

A Tampa Electric spokesman told News Channel 8 that a system error generated the bill and that Grieshop and Williams don't owe $99,999.

The spokesman said Grieshop need only call customer service again to get the problem solved.

Grieshop said that's good news.

"We're just trying to make it here, living in the world without having to live in a nursing home."

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