A series of class action suits against such well-known current and past fiber-optic network operators as Sprint, Qwest, Level 3, and WilTel Communications over whether they had buried fiber cable illegally along railroad lines appears nearing settlement. This crime causes significant disruption to rail services, poses safety risks, and results in expensive repairs. The Theft Act 1968. In a recent development from the Northern District of Illinois, the court has allowed CSX Transportation Inc. The case revolves around allegations that Zayo Group, a communications infrastructure company, unlawfully installed. Whoever willfully or maliciously injures or destroys any of the works, property, or material of any radio, telegraph, telephone or cable, line, station, or system, or other means of communication, operated or controlled by the United States, or used or intended to be used for military or civil. upporting wirelines w th voltage equal torgreater than 34. 5 k lovolts musbelocated off railroad right-of-w ments andtechnical det reprovided ils only asaguideline forthesuccessful completion of ber ptic installation. This shall include parallel andcrossings o railroad right-of-way byrailroads orut. The Association of American Railroads, a trade association representing the freight rail industry, argued before a panel of judges that Virginia lawmakers usurped federal authority by forcing its members to permit broadband internet providers to run fiber optic cables under railroad tracks for a.