The utility says an investigation shows no record of the $284 billion bill but Mary Horomanski stands by her story.

First Energy officials say they have found no evidence they billed an Erie woman $284 billion in December for electrical service.

Mary Horomanski, 58, went online in mid-December to check her electric bill and said she saw she owed Penelec, a subsidiary of First Energy, more than $284 billion. She said her son later contacted Penelec and was able to have the bill switched to its correct amount: $284.46.

The story, first published in the Erie Times-News, quickly gained international attention and was later the subject of a story in the Washington Post.

Now First Energy is questioning the validity of Horomanski's claim.

Company spokesman Mark Durbin originally said the error was likely due to an errant decimal point, but after a lengthy investigation by the utility, First Energy can find no evidence of a $284 billion bill or that Horomanski's son contacted First Energy about the matter.

"We have reviewed all the audiotapes and there is no record of anyone reaching out to us about this account," Durbin said. "And the only bill on record is the correct one for $284.46."

Durbin said First Energy has not been successful in reaching Horomanski, who is staying with relatives in Philadelphia.

Horomanski on Wednesday told the Erie Times-News in a telephone interview that the original $284 billion bill was real and that it was later changed to its current amount.

"Where do they think I got that amount from?" said Horomanski, who supplied the Erie Times-News with digital pictures of both online bills. "The only thing I did on the computer was that I went online, put my password and username in, and saw the amount of my bill."

She said First Energy is trying to make her look like the bad guy after billing her $284 billion.

"I didn't put the decimal point in the wrong spot," Horomanski said.

First Energy will continue to attempt to contact Horomanski to figure out what happened, Durbin said.

David Bruce can be reached at 870-1736 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ETNbruce.