California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
_________________________________________________________________________________
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 LIMOUSINES,
SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES
SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2010 - 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 passenger carriers.
During the first quarter of 2010, the CPUC took the following enforcement actions against limousine, bus, and shuttle companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code and CPUC rules and regulations, including General Orders (GO) 115-F and 157-D.
Administrative Citation
Forty-one companies were cited and fined (totaling $83,000) for one or more of these violations:
1. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance
2. Failed to comply with GO 157 rules (incomplete waybills, incomplete sub-carriers agreements, invalid CDL)
3. Failed to enroll drivers in a mandatory drug and alcohol program
4. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program
5. Operated and advertised without a valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, or unlicensed)
6. Operated as a passenger stage corporation without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
7. Operated without evidence of Public Liability and Property Damage insurance in effect and on file
8. Under-reported gross revenue and failure to pay applicable Public Utilities Commission Transportation Reimbursement Account fees
Companies cited:
1. Akis Kourtzidis dba Apollo Limousine, Inc., Anaheim (TCP 22511)
2. Akop Saradzhyan and Harry Saradzhyan (Unlicensed)
3. Baosen Zhang and Kim Kwang (Unlicensed)
4. Bruce A Wilson dba P/M Limo (TCP 21332)
5. Carlos Garcia dba A & C Charters/Far West Charters, San Pedro (TCP 20695)
6. Chong Seok Cheong (Unlicensed)
7. Cody N Parton dba Majestic World Limo (TCP 23901)
8. Dante Tovalino and Nicol Falconi (Unlicensed)
9. Diana E. Corral-Zamora and Orbit Hotel Inc. (Unlicensed)
10. Dong Sheng Lin (Unlicensed)
11. Dong Wook Shin (Unlicensed)
12. Earl Milner Jr. dba East Bay Limousine, Pinole (TCP 20378)
13. Eckard Kroeger and Hong Loan Tran (Unlicensed)
14. Edward A. Kotovski and Galina Rostova (Unlicensed)
15. El Camino Charter Lines Inc., South San Francisco (TCP 102)
16. Esau McKnight and Katy Klein dba Black Cat Limousine Service, Thousand Oaks (TCP 21933)
17. Fifth Avenue Limousine, LLC, San Diego (TCP 20789)
18. Four Season Limo Services Inc., Los Angeles (TCP 22852)
19. Fred Walker dba Luxury Limousine Service, Buellton (TCP 15380)
20. Gabriel Benitez Rios (Unlicensed)
21. George Ramirez dba Universal Limousine, Huntington Park (TCP 24862)
22. Gnesa Solecnik, dba ABW&S Car & Limo Service, Los Angeles (TCP 22922)
23. Gregory J. Sgantas and Ron Blondel (Unlicensed)
24. Haim B Salmon and Rebecca Mastey (TCP 14289)
25. Jacques Blockhuys (Unlicensed)
26. James R. Houshmand dba Rockstar Transportation Service, Santa Barbara (TCP 19897)
27. Jay S. Bhatia dba 4GQ Limousine Services, Livermore (TCP 14582)
28. Jerry C. Ogle (Unlicensed)
29. John Oluseyi-Oke (Unlicensed)
30. Johnny Chuang (Unlicensed)
31. Jose H. Hernandez and Rosa Morales (Unlicensed)
32. Jose R. Marquez dba All West Taxi (Unlicensed)
33. Kenny Quang Hai dba Auto Airport Parking (TCP 23389)
34. King Limousine Services, Inc., Anaheim (TCP 20789)
35. Lang Hua Chen dba Fortune Travel Shuttle and Transportation Services, San Mateo (TCP 23876)
36. Lidia V. Bolanos and Angelo Sabatino (Unlicensed)
37. Meitai Sun (Unlicensed)
38. Nae Gil Oh dba Marathon Limo, Los Angeles (TCP 20797)
39. Peyman Roochel dba Blacktie Music Limo (TCP 25893)
40. Randy Chance dba Canyon Car Service (Unlicensed)
41. Rene O. Martinez dba Image Limo (TCP 23866)
42. Sait Islamovic dba Diplomat Transportation (TCP 19238)
43. Serendipity Land Yachts, San Jose (TCP 8430)
44. Shavarsh Gasparyan (Unlicensed)
45. Shota Erystavi and Stella Roytman (Unlicensed)
46. Simon J Purba (Unlicensed)
47. Travis Hale dba Anytime Limousine & Sedan, Long Beach (TCP 12597)
48. Wei Liu (Unlicensed)
49. Wilfred R. Walker dba USA Transportation (TCP 17500)
50. Yin Hua Zhu (Unlicensed)
51. Yong Mee Teng dba Marco Polo Tours (Unlicensed)
52. Yu Sheng Chang (Unlicensed)
53. Yung Qian (Unlicensed)
Criminal Filings
CPUC staff investigations of unlicensed operations resulted in four passenger carriers being charged criminally for violating the CPUC's rules and regulations. CPUC staff submitted its reports to Southern California prosecutors requesting a criminal complaint be filed against these unlicensed companies:
1. Cosmopolitan Limousine Service, Inc., and Freddy Abraham Buraye, Simi Valley (PSG 19720 Revoked) - Complaint #9CA01280 - This company is charged with two counts of operating after revocation of its CPUC permit. The company appeared in court on March 3, 2010, and pled No Contest to one count (PU Code Section 5371). The company was placed on 24 months summary probation; ordered to pay investigative costs to the CPUC in the amount of $500; ordered to perform 10 days (80 hours) of community labor or 200 hours of community service; and ordered to obey all laws rules and regulations pertaining to for-hire passenger operations.
2. Alrick David Cooper, Jr., dba Heaven Transportation, Los Angeles (TCP 17873-Revoked) - Complaint #9CA01292 - This company is charged with 24 counts of violating the Public Utilities Code, including operating after suspension of authority, failing to have evidence of public liability insurance coverage in effect, engaging employees without evidence of workers' compensation insurance coverage in effect, failing to report all equipment operated, and failing to report gross transportation revenue. The company's attorney appeared in court and entered a plea of Not Guilty. During pre-trial held on March 25, 2010, the company surrendered its CHP 292 certificates to the Los Angeles Deputy Attorney as ordered.
3. Limoryde USA Inc., dba Vipryde Limousine, Elegant Ride Limousine, Rush Limousine Group, Tujunga (TCP 21940). Complaint # OCA0117 - This company is charged with failing to perform reasonable service (33 counts), operating after permit suspension (nine counts), failing to enroll drivers in the DMV Pull Notice Program (two counts), and failing to enroll drivers in a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program (two counts), and failing to report all vehicles operated (eight counts). The company's attorney appeared in court on March 30, 2010, and requested more time to continue arraignment and plea. A hearing has been re-scheduled to June 2, 2010.
4. William James, President, Top Cat Limousine, Inc., San Diego (TCP 14364). Complaint # M094236 - This company is charged with operating after revocation of permit and without public liability insurance on file with the CPUC.
Phone Disconnect
In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlicensed passenger carriers, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to one party bus company operating in California without a permit. The company continues to advertise and hold themselves out to engage in the business of transporting passengers for compensation, notwithstanding CPUC staff directives to immediately cease and desist unlawful acts and to obtain a charter-party authority. The company is:
1. Tori M. Douglas and Zyno O. Yang dba Prime Time Tours/Thrillz On Wheelz, Sunnyvale (Unlicensed). This company continues to advertise their unlicensed party bus company on the Internet. Advertisements listed two phone numbers. On September 30, 2009, the company applied for a permit, which was denied on January 4, 2010, for failure to complete all licensing requirements including evidence of public liability and workers' compensation insurance. On January 27, 2010, the company reapplied for the permit, which is currently pending. Notwithstanding CPUC Cease and Desist notices directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law as evidenced by undercover operation conducted by the CPUC's Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD). On February 26, 2010, CPSD obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge. The order finds that telephone service at the two numbers was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
Enforcement Actions at Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA):
Number of citations issued by LAWA police (unlicensed operations only) |
67 |
Number of vehicles impounded |
59 |
Individuals or Entities Cited by LAWA for Unlicensed Operation:
Defendant Name |
Registered owner |
TCP# |
1. Argueta, Santos A. |
Danny Perdomo |
21171 |
2. Arizpe-Meza, Gelacio |
Irma Jimenez |
Unlicensed |
3. Baez, Carlos A. |
Same |
Unlicensed |
4. Baird, Karen C. |
Limousine Link |
11416 |
5. Blockhuys, Jacques |
Same |
Unlicensed |
6. Bolanos, Lidia V. |
Angelo Sabatino |
Unlicensed |
7. Butler III, Edward |
Vernon Young |
Unlicensed |
8. Chance, Randy |
Canyon Car Service |
Unlicensed |
9. Chang, Yu Sheng |
Same |
Unlicensed |
10. Chang, Yu Sheng |
Chang express |
25997 |
11. Chen, Ji Xiang |
CJ Express |
21462 |
12. Cheong, Chong Seok |
Same |
Unlicensed |
13. Choi, Chang H |
Same |
Unlicensed |
14. Chuang, Johnny |
Same |
Unlicensed |
15. Corral-Zamora, Diana E. |
Orbit Hotel Inc |
Unlicensed |
16. Delgado, Alfonso Segura |
Angel Rojas |
Unlicensed |
17. Duong, Zan |
Same |
Unlicensed |
18. Erystavi, Shota |
Stella Roytman |
Unlicensed |
19. Fragoso, Noe A. |
Same |
13914 |
20. Franco, Jose Bolivar |
Same |
none |
21. Garraway, Nigel David |
Gold Label Limo |
18496 |
22. Gasparyan, Shavarsh |
Same |
none |
23. Gavidia, Humberto |
Lopez German Gutierrez |
17107 |
24. Hai, Kenny Quang |
Auto Airport parking |
23389 |
25. Hemond, Ryan Q |
Solana Bch Executive Transp |
Unlicensed |
26. Hernandez, Jose H. |
Rosa Morales |
Unlicensed |
27. Hong, Chung Ki |
Andrew Cousins |
Unlicensed |
28. Islamovic, Sait |
Diplomat Transportation |
19238 |
29. Jin, Sang Hoon |
Same |
Unlicensed |
30. Jovel, Rosalio Aguilar |
Rafael Salazar |
Unlicensed |
31. Kia, Shahram Afshar |
Prompt Shuttle |
11696 |
32. Kotovski, Edward A. |
Galina Rostova |
Unlicensed |
33. Kroeger, Eckard |
Tran Hong Loan |
Unlicensed |
34. Lavarro, Alfred G. |
Same |
Unlicensed |
35. Lin, Dong Sheng |
Same |
Unlicensed |
36. Liu, Wei |
Same |
Unlicensed |
37. Lobo, Pedro Antonio |
LA Excursions Inc |
Unlicensed |
38. Mai, Daniel Yong |
Same |
Unlicensed |
39. Marquez, Jose R. |
All West Taxi |
Unlicensed |
40. Martinez, Rene O. |
Image Limo |
23866 |
41. Mathews, Timothy T. |
Derrick Becerra |
Unlicensed |
42. Mersan, Unsal |
Modern Tours |
25929 |
43. Moeller, Ana Ruth |
Same |
Unlicensed |
44. Ogle, Jerry C. |
Same |
Unlicensed |
45. Oluseyi-Oke, John |
Same |
Unlicensed |
46. Park, Jin Ha |
Same |
Unlicensed |
47. Parton, Cody N |
Majestic World Limo |
23901 |
48. Purba, Simon J |
Same |
Unlicensed |
49. Qian, Yung |
Same |
Unlicensed |
50. Rios, Gabriel Benitez |
Same |
Unlicensed |
51. Roochel, Peyman |
Blacktie Music Limo |
25893 |
52. Salmon, Haim B |
Rebecca Mastey |
14289 |
53. Saradzhyan, Akop |
Harry Saradzhyan |
Unlicensed |
54. Seino, Kenichi |
Zion Limousine |
20485 |
55. Sgantas, Gregory J. |
Ron Blondel |
Unlicensed |
56. Shin, Dong Wook |
Same |
Unlicensed |
57. Sun, Meitai |
Same |
Unlicensed |
58. Teng, Yong Mee |
Marco Polo Tours |
Unlicensed |
59. Tovalino, Dante |
Nicol Falconi |
Unlicensed |
60. Valenzuela, Hector M |
Genobeba Gomez |
Unlicensed |
61. Vardanyan, Tigran |
Sunny State Cab |
|
62. Villalobos, Janet Vanessa |
Rosa Zuniga |
22058 |
63. Walker,Wilfred R. |
USA Transportation |
17500 |
64. Wilson, Bruce A |
P/M Limo |
21332 |
65. Xiao, Qiang |
Sun Wenshan |
Unlicensed |
66. Zhang, Baosen |
Kim Kwang |
Unlicensed |
67. Zhu, Yin Hua |
Same |
Unlicensed |
Official Notice
Fourteen companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:
1. Advertising as a taxi and limousine service in the same advertisement
2. Engaged workers without evidence of workers' compensation insurance
3. Failed to display TCP number on Internet advertisements
4. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV pull notice
5. Failed to update equipment list
6. Operated and advertised without a valid permit (suspended, revoked, or unlicensed)
7. Used fictitious business name not on file with the CPUC
Companies cited:
1. ABC Charter Services, LLC dba California Fun Rides, Calexico (TCP 19977)
2. Charles Huang dba Correctale Int'l Inc., El Monte (TCP 18975)
3. George R. Grosz dba 3 in 1 LLC, San Diego (TCP 24326)
4. Hector E and Hector Y. Bravo dba Bravosol Shuttle Transportation, Calexico (TCP 23025)
5. Kwong Hing "Terry" Tham and Terry Tham Inc. dba Terry's Limousine and T and K Limousine, San Francisco (TCP 21982-Revoked and TCP 25623)
6. Michael Louis Henig dba Ace Transportation of the Desert, Rancho Mirage (TCP 24760)
7. Milan Mirkovic dba Mirkovic Shuttle LLC, San Diego (TCP 23882)
8. Noe Munoz dba M & M Tours, Calexico (TCP 24228)
9. Richard McNamee dba Shurly Shuttle, San Diego (TCP 11220)
10. Rick Maldonado dba VIP Mobile Lounge, Stockton (Unlicensed)
11. Starcity Tours, Hollywood (TCP 16056)
12. Taeresa Harsha dba Fallbrook Transportation, Fallbrook (TCP 14165)
13. Ulises Ramirez dba Imperial Valley Tours, Holtville (TCP 16851)
14. Xiang Chun Zhu dba America China Connection, San Marino (TCP 20134)
Cease and Desist Notices
Ninety-one companies were issued cease and desist notices for one or more of these violations:
1. Engaging employees without evidence of workers' compensation insurance
2. Operating and advertising without a valid PSC or a charter-party authority (unlicensed, suspended, revoked, denied or expired)
Companies issued C&D:
1. A & C Charters, San Pedro (TCP 20695)
2. AFCL Enterprises Inc, Downey (TCP 19431)
3. Akop Saradzhyan and Harry Saradzhyan (Unlicensed)
4. Alfonso Segura Delgado and Angel Rojas (Unlicensed)
5. Alfred G. Lavarro (Unlicensed)
6. Amy Brewen dba Empire Trolley, Murrieta (Unlicensed)
7. Anthony Ernest Epidendio dba Kids Kab of Marin, Larkspur, (PSC - Unlicensed)
8. Asma Esmail dba VIP Airport Transportation & Limo Service, Huntington Beach (TCP 24659)
9. At Your Service Limousine Inc., Elk Grove (TCP 16587-Pending)
10. Baosen Zhang and Kim Kwang (Unlicensed)
11. Beverly Regent Limousine, Santa Monica (Unlicensed)
12. Bruce A Wilson and P/M Limo (TCP 21332)
13. Chang H Choi (Unlicensed)
14. Chong Seok Cheon (Unlicensed)
15. Christine Lynn Abtey dba Abtey's Limousine Services, Oxnard (TCP 21165)
16. Dai Huynh dba Polar Express, El Monte (TCP 25279)
17. Daniel Shubaralyan (TCP 16335)
18. Daniel Yong Mai (Unlicensed)
19. Dante Tovalino and Nicol Falconi (Unlicensed)
20. David Yoshimura and Junju Yoshida (TCP 16097)
21. Diana E. Corral-Zamora and Orbit Hotel Inc. (Unlicensed)
22. Dominguez Ramirez dba Alpha and Omega Tours, San Ysidro (Unlicensed)
23. Dong Sheng Lin (Unlicensed)
24. Eckard Kroeger and Hong Loan Tran (Unlicensed)
25. Expand Your LA Inc., Los Angeles (Unlicensed)
26. Flausino Gomes Barbosa dba Exotic Limousine and Fly Limo Service, San Bruno (TCP 19804)
27. Frank Vilt dba Gold Country Limousines, Cameron Park. (TCP 11136-Revoked)
28. Gelacio Arizpe-Meza and Irma Jimenez (Unlicensed)
29. Gerry J. Brenner dba KMA Limousine Service, Suisun City (TCP 11972)
30. Gregory J. Sgantas and Ron Blondel (Unlicensed)
31. Harvest Vacation, LTD, San Francisco (TCP 20591)
32. Hector M Valenzuela and Genobeba Gomez (Unlicensed)
33. ILS Limousine Service LLC, Pasadena (TCP 17884)
34. Jacques Blockhuys (Unlicensed)
35. Jesus Beltran, dba Lorena's Limousine, Oxnard (TCP 22340)
36. John A. Davis and A1 Preferred (TCP 16778)
37. Jon Reno St. James dba California Airport Service, and Party Bus of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz (TCP 23533)
38. Jose H. Hernandez and Rosa Morales (Unlicensed)
39. Jose R. Marquez and All West Taxi (Unlicensed)
40. Joseph E. Worachek and Michael Brent (TCP 23576)
41. Justin and Trevor Johnston dba Jamison Blaine Enterprises, Clayton (Unlicensed)
42. Karen C. Baird and Limousine Link (TCP 11416)
43. Kenichi Seino and Zion Limousine (TCP 20485)
44. Limoryde USA, Inc, Tujunga (TCP 21940)
45. Lorenzo Morales dba The VIP Transportation Company, San Francisco (TCP 18800-Denied)
46. M. Ryan dba Inland Empire Fire Rental, Upland (Unlicensed)
47. Magdy Shahin and Sherin Moustafa dba ABCO Airport Service/ABC Sedan and Cab, San Mateo (Unlicensed)
48. Marco Tosti dba Excel Fleet Inc., Fullerton (TCP 18953)
49. Maria Medina dba VIP Customz, South Gate (TCP 21849)
50. Marin Shuttle, Inc., San Francisco (PSC/TCP 20705)
51. Meitai Sun (Unlicensed)
52. Michael Chudosky dba Showbiz Limos, Lake Elsinore (TCP 20322)
53. Michael K. Wong & Martha L. Wong dba Home Sweet Home Car Service, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
54. Miguel A. Duenas dba VIP Transportation Services, Montebello (TCP 7398)
55. Pacific Platinum Services, Inc., North Hollywood (TCP 24479)
56. Perl Enterprises, Inc., Manhattan Beach (TCP 16920-Expired)
57. Poch Paul Tan dba Valley Tours, Modesto (TCP 12756)
58. Prime Star Limousines & Transportation Services Inc., Ventura (TCP 24936)
59. Qiang Xiao and Sun Wenshan (Unlicensed)
60. Randy Chance and Canyon Car Service (Unlicensed)
61. Remmington Livery Service LLC, Granada Hills (TCP 16894)
62. Rene O. Martinez and Image Limo (TCP 23866)
63. Richard Davis dba Axxess Limousine, Oceanside (TCP 18098)
64. Rock and Roll Limousine, Pleasanton (Unlicensed)
65. Ron Jones dba Urway Limousine, San Diego (Unlicensed)
66. Rosalio Aguilar Jovel and Rafael Salazar (Unlicensed)
67. Ruben D. Scott (TCP 12897)
68. Ryan Q Hemond and Solana Beach Executive Transp. (Unlicensed)
69. Sang Hoon Jin (Unlicensed)
70. Santos A. Argueta and Danny Perdomo (TCP 21171)
71. Seth Murdock dba Tram View Transportation, Inc., Palm Springs (TCP 17748)
72. Shahram Afshar Kia and Prompt Shuttle (TCP 11696)
73. Shavarsh Gasparyan (Unlicensed)
74. Simon J Purba (Unlicensed)
75. Squaw Creek Transportation, Inc., Olympic Valley (TCP 8866-Expired)
76. Starcity Tours, Los Angeles (TCP 16056)
77. The J. Lew Group Too dba ESQ Transportation Specialist, Elk Grove (TCP 23229)
78. The Xtreme Limos, Corona Del Mar (Unlicensed)
79. Thomas McClamon and San Diego Luxury Transp. (TCP 19933)
80. Timothy T. Mathews and Derrick Becerra (Unlicensed)
81. Top Hat Party Bus, Bakersfield (Unlicensed)
82. Transporters 4 You LLC, Ojai (TCP 24992-denied)
83. Valerie Coca dba Airport Direct, Chino Hills (TCP 15691)
84. VIP Club Bus, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
85. Vol-Ten Corporation dba Delta Charter Service, Stockton (TCP 7913)
86. Wei Liu (Unlicensed)
87. William James dba Top Cat Limo Inc, San Diego (TCP 14364)
88. Xavier Lander Fleury dba Jet Car Limo and Plus Car Limo, San Bruno (TCP 22262)
89. Yong Mee Teng and Marco Polo Tours (Unlicensed)
90. Yu Sheng Chang and Chang Express (TCP 25997)
91. Zan Duong (Unlicensed)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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