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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

U S West Files ‘Takings’ Lawsuit

Compiled From Wire Services

US West Communications has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the federal government is violating the U.S. Constitution by taking its property.

The “takings” lawsuit was filed Monday in response to a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires local telephone companies to modify their systems so customers can keep their current numbers if they switch to another company.

US West said those changes will cost $20 million - property the FCC is taking without compensation.

“We can’t ask US West Communications customers and stockholders to pay our competitors’ business expenses,” US West President Sol Trujillo said.

The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the first stop for those seeking to sue the federal government for a substantial sum.