California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
CPUC INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FINES IMPOSED ON VARIOUS MOVING COMPANIES
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 2011 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in its ongoing commitment to consumer protection, has recently taken a number of actions to protect consumers from illegally operating moving companies.
During the second quarter of 2011, CPUC staff took the following enforcement actions against moving companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code and CPUC rules and regulations, including Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4), which contains maximum rates that carriers must observe as well as rules and regulations governing intrastate moves.
Administrative Citation
Namkaju Moving Inc. dba Orange Trucking (MTR 190716) based in Garden Grove was fined $3,000 for the following violations:
1. Operated without authority
2. Operated without required liability and property damage and cargo insurance coverage
3. Engaged workers without workers' compensation insurance
4. Incomplete Combined Agreement For Service and Freight Bill
Criminal Filings
CPUC staff investigations of unlicensed operations resulted in one moving company being charged criminally for violating the CPUC's rules and regulations. CPUC staff submitted its report to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office requesting a criminal complaint be filed.
Listed below is an update on three criminal cases previously filed:
1. All American Student Movers, Santa Barbara (Unlicensed). Complaint #1354331. Based on the reported submitted by CPUC staff, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office filed a misdemeanor complaint and charged this company with three counts of operating as a household goods carrier without a permit (section 5133(a)](1)).
2. Aleksey Posunko, Larysa Posunko, Stanislav Kirsanov, partners doing business as ALG Moving, Los Angeles (Unlicensed) - Complaint #0CA01202 - This company was charged with eight counts of violating various provisions of the Public Utilities Code and the CPUC's MAX 4 Tariff including but not limited to operating and advertising without CPUC authority; failing to maintain in effect requisite insurance (PLPD, cargo, and workers' compensation); failing to issue Important Notice with Not To Exceed Price; and Business and Profession Code 17200/17500 for unfair business practices. Larysa Posunko pled "nolo contendere" to three counts of violating PU Code Sections 5133, 5143, and 5139 and was sentenced to 90 days in jail or 45 days of Community Labor or 500 hours of community service and was ordered to pay $4525.01 in restitution to shippers, $500 in restitution to the CPUC, and $100 to Victims' Restitution Fund. She was also given 36 months summary probation and ordered to notify the CPUC in writing within 48 hours if she owns, operates, or is employed by a household goods carrier. Charges against Stanislav Kirsanov were dismissed after he agreed to sign a written statement, with the approval of his public defender, acknowledging rules and regulations of the CPUC regarding household goods carriers. Aleksey Posunko is scheduled to receive same sentence as his mother Larysa Posunko.
3. Duncan and Elbaz, Inc., a California corporation, doing business as Worldwide Relocations, Worldwide Moving, Moving US Moving & Storage, Marten Transport, Marten Movers, Atlas Van Lines and S Van Lines, and its President Edan Elbaz, Santa Clara (MTR190482-Denied) - Complaint # C1196968. In conjunction with the Moving Companies Task Force, CPUC staff provided the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office with copies of consumer complaints filed with the CPUC. In addition, CPUC staff submitted a report on two consumer complaints alleging goods held hostage and exorbitant overcharges. The company did not have a valid household goods carrier permit to conduct these moves. Based on the complaints received and sting operations, the District Attorney's Office filed a felony complaint charging Edan Elbaz and Mellisa Gisselle Jimenez (sales person) with 12 counts of conspiracy with others to commit a crime, a violation of Penal Code section 484-487(a) (Grand Theft). Warrants for their arrest were issued. Ms. Jimenez was booked and released on $150,000 bail. Whereabouts of Elbaz remain unknown. A federal unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for Elbaz's arrest.
4. BGT Trans, Inc., a California corporation, doing business as Advanced Moving and Storage, and/or Advanced Moving Systems, and/or Bekins Moving and Storage, and/or Bekins Moving Systems, and/or Advanced Moving Company, and Hezia Dabahuli, its President, and Ashley R. Randall, its Agent for Service of Process, Sunnyvale (Unlicensed). Complaint # C1197052. CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office to file a misdemeanor complaint for operating and advertising without authority, failing to have evidence of public liability insurance and evidence of cargo insurance on file and in effect with the CPUC, failing to issue the "Important Notice About Your Move" document showing a Not To Exceed Price (5143 and Max 4, Items 130 and 465); providing online estimates without first conducting a visual inspection of the goods to be moved (Max 4, Item 108); charging in excess of the estimate (Max 4, Item 108 (2)(a)); failing to acknowledge and settle loss and damage claim (Max 4, Item 92); failing to provide the shipper with a completed Agreement for Moving Services and Freight Bill (Max 4, Items 128(2) and 132(1)); misrepresenting the scope of its services offered to the public (Max 4, Item 88);and misleading potential customers by using their website and vehicle as a device for false and misleading advertising (B&P Code section 17500). The Santa Clara District Attorney's Office filed a felony complaint against Eran Bar, true owner of BGT and Ruben Salas, sales person for BGT, charging them with 17 counts of conspiracy with others to commit a crime, a violation of Penal Code section 484-487(a) (Grand Theft). Both individuals were arrested. Bar was released on $150,000 bail and Salas is being held on a $1 million bail.
Official Notice
Five companies were issued Official Notice for advertising without a permit.
Companies cited:
1. Angela Juarez dba Old North Points Movers, Santa Clara (Unlicensed)
2. Asaf Nagar dba Firstfruits Moving, South San Francisco (MTR 190797)
3. Daria Sharkova, President, dba Go East Movers, Inc., San Jose (Unlicensed)
4. Rustom Kholov and Umed Salomov, Belmont (MTR 190802)
5. Viking Piano Movers, San Rafael (MTR 190791)
Cease and Desist Notice
Fifteen companies were issued cease and desist notices for operating and advertising without a valid permit (unlicensed or denied).
Companies issued C&D:
1. A Way to Move, Rocklin (Unlicensed)
2. Angelica di Santo dba Peninsula Moving Services, San Mateo (Unlicensed)
3. Aurelo Jaimes dba J B Deliveries & Moving, Cathedral City (Unlicensed)
4. Buck Adam Drew, Santa Barbara (MTR 190665)
5. Cowboy Movers, Riverside (Unlicensed)
6. Donnie Vinson dba Vinson Moving Company, Antioch (Unlicensed)
7. Jason Ellis dba Jason Ellis Moving Services, Santa Rosa (Unlicensed)
8. Khosrow Matin dba OC American Movers, Anaheim (Unlicensed)
9. Make Your Move Moving Company, Sacramento (Unlicensed)
10. Mutunga Maithya dba Central Valley Movers, Modesto (Unlicensed)
11. Robert Casarez and Miguel Rodriguez dba SF College Movers, S.F. Bay Area, and College Movers (Unlicensed)
12. Robert O'Keefe dba Big Leprechaun Moving & Storage, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
13. Rustam Kholov dba San Francisco Moving, Belmont (Unlicensed)
14. Stuart W. Fitzgerald dba English Gents Moving & Hauling, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
15. Ricky Harlen Richardson dba Best Way Movers, El Dorado (MTR 189010)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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