Down there in Port Wentworth, Georgia, the Benton family is actually going against the Georgia Power company in the courtrooms and wants to know why exactly. Well, the main issue is that the Bentons have so far claimed that this company has installed power lines on their private property without even asking for any kind of permission. Like, no notice, no paperwork, no nothing! So, this whole thing has now turned into a Georgia Power Easement Lawsuit.
Who’s Involved in This Case?
The land in question belongs to an individual owner named Mr. Benton; hence, he wants to protect it. Georgia Power contends that it acted within its rights according to an easement granted in 1986. In very simple terms, an easement permits a utility company to use a portion of private land for placing power lines or other public infrastructure.
The City of Port Wentworth was named in the complaint, but soon the city announced that it was not involved in any way. According to the city’s reply, the officials neither authorized nor participated in the installation of the new power lines.
What Happened on Sassy Road?
The Bentons claim that things took a serious turn at the beginning of September 2025. They say that power crews arrived on the family land on Sassy Road, trucks, heavy equipment, with their police escorts. The family says that none of this was communicated in advance, like no letter, no phone call, not even a courtesy call.
Thousands of videos show workers on their land going viral very quickly. The Bentons assert that the company had crossed the line; the space between the two terminologies is quite an interesting phrase. They insist that Georgia Power trespassed on private land and installed new power lines where they had no right to be doing so.
The family is currently organizing lawyer support for the matter and wants an action for removing the lines or to be compensated for the portion of their land now occupied by Georgia Power’s infrastructure.
What’s the Lawsuit About?
The Bentons maintain the position that Georgia Power has overstepped. Their view is that the easement of 1986, the one Georgia Power depends on, is only for a very narrow strip of land and does not include the much broader area where the new power lines now stand. One of the family members, Larray Benton, summarized their position clearly: “They don’t have any easement rights anywhere along Sassy Road.”
Georgia Power does not go along with these opinions. As far as the company is concerned, the said company exercises absolute legal authority to erect and maintain the lines under a valid and duly signed easement from 1986. It proceeded with the work in accordance with established practice and in conformity with existing contractual arrangements.”
The Bentons believe their rights as landowners are at stake here, not mere money. “If you own land, nobody should be able to come in and use it without following the law,” according to them.
What the City Is Saying
One might think the City of Port Wentworth would figure by assisting in rectifying this issue. However, city officials have made it very clear that they are not involved in the matter.
In a public statement, the city expressed appreciation for Georgia Power in the service of the community but made clear that it had not taken part in the company’s actions on the Benton property. Simply put, the city is not putting itself on one side or the other but is instead distancing itself from the dispute altogether.
Where Things Stand Now
Coming to the courts in fall 2025, the Benton family has already filed the case in the Chatham County Superior Court. No settlement has been discussed publicly so far. While the Bentons consider their options and continue gathering evidence, Georgia Power holds onto its insistence that it exercised the rights available to it.