BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Complaint of 
WILLIAM A GENE @ VEHLEWALD, Correction of Rule Violations on Pay Phones	)))))))	DOCKET 
NO. UT-991917 
		ORDER DISMISSING         COMPLAINT 

                  I. NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING
1 William "Gene" Vehlewald, an inmate at the Washington State Penitentiary in 
Walla Walla, Washington, filed a Formal Complaint (Complaint) against U S WEST 
Communicaitons, Inc. (U S WEST) on November, 15, 1999. On January 27, 2000, Mr. 
Vehlewald filed a Request to Amend Formal Complaint.
2 In the Complaint, as amended, Mr. Vehlewald alleged that U S WEST had 
violated the Commission's rules, Washington State statutes, and federal 
anti-trust law. More specifically, Mr. Vehlewald alleged that U S WEST, in 
provisioning pay phone services to inmates at the Washington State 
Penitentiary, engaged in rate discrimination, granted unreasonable preferences, 
and engaged in other anti- competitive practices.
        II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY 
3 U S WEST filed an Answer and Affirmative Defenses on January 13, 2000. On 
February 15, 2000, U S WEST filed a Response to Mr. Vehlewald's request to 
amend the Complaint. On March 7, 2000, U S WEST filed an Amended Answer and 
Affirmative Defenses.
4 On February 15, 2000, the Commission issued a Notice of Brief Adjudication. 
5 On February 28, 2000, Mr. Vehlewald filed a request for a continuance, which 
the Commission granted, extending the time to file written statements and 
evidentiary documents from March 6, 2000 to April 6, 2000.
6 On April 10, 2000, the Commission received a letter from Mr. Vehlewald, which 
stated that he was withdrawing the Complaint.
        III. DISCUSSION 
7 There are no objections to the withdrawal. The request appears to be 
consistent with the public interest.
8 Procedurally, the Commission grants such a request by dismissing the matter 
without prejudice. Therefore, the Commission will dismiss the Complaint at the 
Complainant's request.
IV. ORDER
        THE COMMISSION ORDERS That 
9 The Complaint filed on November 15, 1999, by William "Gene" Vehlewald is 
dismissed. 
         DATED at Olympia, Washington, and effective this day of May, 2000.
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
     MARILYN SHOWALTER, Chairwoman
    RICHARD HEMSTAD, Commissioner
    WILLIAM R. GILLIS, Commissioner 
NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES:
This is a final order of the Commission. In addition to judicial review, 
administrative relief may be available through a petition for reconsideration, 
filed within 10 days of the service of this order pursuant to RCW 34.05.470 and 
WAC 480-09-810, or a petition for rehearing pursuant to RCW 80.04.200 or RCW 
81.04.200 and WAC 480-09-820(1).