CBL & AssociatesProperties Inc. is the defendant in a class-action lawsuit allegingit overcharged mall tenants for electricity, a law firm disclosed.

Hagens Berman filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for theMiddle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division, on behalf of Salon Adrian Inc.,a tenant in CBL's Gulf CoastTown Center in Fort Myers, and others.

CBL's overcharging allegedly became apparent when the mall wentinto foreclosure and a third-party management company evaluated utility usage, accordingto the suit. It claims Salon Adrian paid more than $10,000 in mark-ups for electricityto CBL.

The salon and other plaintiffs seek the return of their allegedmarkup payments, among other things.