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 LIMOUSINES,
SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES

SAN FRANCISCO, November 1, 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 third quarter of 2010, 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 four companies were cited (including those cited by airport police at Los Angeles World Airports) and fined (totaling $52,250) for one or more of these violations:

1. Conducted incidental transportation to its primary business without a Z permit

2. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance

3. Engaged unlicensed sub-carriers

4. Failed or under-reported gross revenue

5. Failed to comply with GO 157 rules (incomplete waybills, equipment list not current, invalid California Drivers License, unregistered fictitious business name)

6. Failed to enroll drivers in a mandatory drug and alcohol program

7. Failed to enroll drivers in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice program

8. Failed to provide access to documents

9. Operated a 28-passenger bus prior to California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection

10. Operated and advertised as a passenger stage corporation without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN)

11. Operated and advertised without a valid authority (suspended, expired, revoked, or unlicensed)

12. Operated vehicles outside the scope of authority

13. Operated without evidence of Public Liability and Property Damage insurance in effect and on file

Companies cited:

1. Akemi Kato dba Base Transportation (TCP 16343)

2. Alexander Korol dba ELS Limo Svc (TCP 23266)

3. Amir Ghassemian dba Always Adventure (TCP 21234)

4. Bakham Tulaganov dba American VIP Limo (TCP 22331)

5. Buu Duc Huynh (Unlicensed)

6. Chin Hsiang Huang dba Rainbow Shuttle (TCP 21616)

7. Chunming Wang (Unlicensed)

8. Ciprian D. Draganus dba VIP Limo (TCP 10234)

9. Cynthia L. Rodriguez dba Oceans One Limo (TCP 21999)

10. Dai K. Huynh dba Polar Express Tour, El Monte (TCP 28279)

11. Damon Collins dba Alternative Business Ent (TCP 22143)

12. Christopher Gonzales dba Entourage Limousines, Modesto (TCP 25615)

13. Frank L. Sumilang (Unlicensed)

14. Golden Gate ADHC Center Inc., Palo Alto (TCP 26230)

15. Gregory Paul Bell dba Jackson Limo (TCP 2510)

16. Hansong Yim and Young Mee Yoo (Unlicensed)

17. Hon Uk Chong and Kim Yoon Do (Unlicensed)

18. Jammin International, Inc. dba Limozone, Orange (TCP 19124)

19. Jennie K Tea (Unlicensed)

20. Jingyu Bian (Unlicensed)

21. Jon-Reno St. James, LLC, dba California Airport Service, A1 Executive Transportation, Airport Express, and Party Bus Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz (TCP 23533)

22. Jose Segura & Hector Escobar dba Pacific Bus Lines, Bell (TCP 15114)

23. Kalman Dancs dba Gala Associates (Unlicensed)

24. Kenneth Lamar Miles and Ervin Fullwood (Unlicensed)

25. Kent Cun (Unlicensed)

26. Limotech Inc. dba Streamline Limousine, Campbell (TCP 21884)

27. Magdy Dous and Johnny Park (TCP 23633)

28. Mark Christopher Pondoff dba Party Lounge Transportation, Fountain Valley (TCP 19458)

29. Masoud Harandi (Unlicensed)

30. MCH Transportation Inc., San Francisco (TCP 20379)

31. Michael J. Pettibone dba Foothill Area Regional Transportation, Placerville (TCP 26202)

32. Nokiyasu Kanna and Shunji Watanabe (Unlicensed)

33. PAS Limousine LLC dba Angelica Limousines, Cotati (Unlicensed)

34. Paul Huynh and Phong Lam (Unlicensed)

35. Ricardo D Delgado and The Oak Hill Group LLC (TCP 23790)

36. Roberto Lartundo dba Real Limo (TCP 23813)

37. Star Classic Limousine, Inc., Pico Rivera (TCP 24265)

38. Tien Kim Pham and Duong Quen (Unlicensed)

39. Trevor John Samuel and Jaime Michelle Jones dba M & J Transportation, Inglewood (TCP 24935)

40. Vol-Ten Corporation dba Delta Charter Service, Stockton (TCP 7913)

41. Welington Linhares Castro dba My Ride Limo, San Bruno (TCP 25352)

42. William Jordan and Shirley Ann Johnson (Unlicensed)

43. Zhong Min Li and Correctale International Inc (TCP 18975)

44. Zinia Enterprises Inc., San Francisco (TCP 15902)

Criminal Filings

Following are status updates on criminal cases filed:

1. 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 his 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. Defendant's attorney appeared and entered a plea of Not Guilty. During re-trial held on March 25, 2010, the company surrendered its CHP 292 certificates to the Los Angeles Deputy Attorney as ordered. On June 18, 2010, defendant was convicted of two counts of operating and one count of advertising as a charter-party carrier during a suspension period in December 2008, following a seven-day jury trial. 

On July 15, 2010, Cooper and Heaven Inc. were placed on three years of informal probation under the following terms:

a) Cooper to serve 45 days in the Los Angeles County jail OR perform 30 days of community labor, concurrent with each count;

b) Cooper and Heaven Inc., each to pay $2,000 CPUC investigative costs;

c) Cooper to pay $500 fine plus penalties and assessments or perform an additional 16 days of community labor; Heaven Inc. to also pay $500 fine plus penalties and assessments;

d) Cooper and Heaven Inc. each pay $30 court security fee, $100 restitution fine, and $100 probation revocation fine;

e) Cooper and Heaven Inc. not to operate as a charter party without a valid permit;

f) Cooper and Heaven Inc. to disclose all convictions on any subsequent application to the CPUC;

g) Cooper and Heaven Inc. not to publish, hold itself out as a charter party carrier without valid permit from CPUC;

h) Cooper and Heaven Inc. not to affix any indicia or evidence of charter-party authority including but not limited to stickers or signage attached to a commercial vehicle or any 292 card issued by the CHP unless defendants holds valid authority from the CPUC; and,

i) Show proof of enrollment in community labor program, proof of booking and release with local enforcement agency, and progress report on payment of investigative costs and fees and fines.  Heaven Inc. also has to show progress report on payment of investigative costs and fees and fines. 

2. 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). Defendant's attorney appeared on March 30, 2010 and requested more time to continue arraignment and plea.


On July 1, 2010, arraignment and plea hearing was held; however, Fadi Moussaoui was not present. Case was continued to August 10, 2010.   Moussaoui was ordered to appear in court and decide if he is going to keep his defense attorney. The City Deputy Attorney will ask for a trial date if Fadi fails to plea.  

3. 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. On July 7, 2010, this company was convicted of a misdemeanor. The court ordered three years informal probation; pay $130 fine to the court; pay $947.10 in CPUC investigative costs; and comply with CPUC regulations.

Phone Disconnect

In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlicensed passenger carriers, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to six limousines companies operating in California without a charter-party carrier permit. These companies continue 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.

1. Thouqan Issa Makbleh dba Travel Limousine & Sedan Services (TCP 10157-Suspended), and Sohail Issa Magableh dba Travel Limo and Transportation, and dba Travel Limousine of San Francisco, Travel Limousine Service, Inc., and Travel Limousine Inc. San Bruno (TCP 19421-Revoked). Carrier advertised and offered limousine services on the Internet. The advertisements listed five phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet. On July 28, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a San Mateo County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the five numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in the State of California.

2. Ramon R. Lopez dba Prestige Limousine, Stockton (TCP 11559-Expired). Carrier advertised and offered limousine services on the Internet and the advertisements listed two phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet. On August 10, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the two numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in California.

3. The J. Lew Group dba ESQ Transportation Specialist, Elk Grove (TCP 23229- Vol. Susp.). Carrier advertised and offered limousine services on the Internet with advertisements listing three phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet. On September 9, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Gary E. Ransom. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the three numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in California.

4. Dia Fnaish & Tanya Martinez dba Brentwood Coach, Brentwood (TCP 23801-Revoked).  Carrier's permit was suspended on August 24, 2009, and subsequently revoked on November 20, 2009, for failure to maintain evidence of adequate public liability insurance coverage. Carrier advertised and offered limousine services on the Internet. The advertisement listed four phone numbers.  Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letter directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet.  On September 15, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge.  The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the four numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in California.

5. Steven Shawn Won dba AllStar Limousine, Antioch (PSG 22722-Revoked). Carrier was administratively fined for various violations of the Public Utilities Code including but not limited to operating after permit suspension and engaging drivers without evidence of workers compensation insurance coverage. Carrier appealed the citation but lost. The Administrative Law Judge affirmed the citation and ordered carrier to pay $4,000 fine imposed. Despite Cease and Desist letters directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements. Carrier advertised and operated his charter-party carrier business on the Internet and several other websites offering for-hire transportation and tour services after revocation of his permit. The advertisements listed one phone number. On September 28, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the number advertised and used by the carrier to violate criminal laws in California.

6. Gold Rush Outfitters, LLC dba ESQ Transportation Specialist, Elk Grove (TCP 23605-Denied).  Carrier advertised and offered limousine services on the Internet. The advertisements listed three phone numbers.  Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters directing the carrier to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, carrier continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet.  On September 8, 2010, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by an El Dorado County Superior Court Judge.  The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the three numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in California.

Enforcement Actions at Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA):

Number of citations issued by LAWA police (unlicensed operations only)	47
Number of vehicles impounded	39

Individuals or Entities Cited by LAWA for Unlicensed Operation:

(Note: 18 of these individuals or entities were also administratively fined by the CPUC)

Defendant Name	Registered Owner	TCP #
1. Barron, Walter	HTS Trans Svc	20579
2. Chong, Hon Uk	Kim Yoon Do	Unlicensed
3. Cun, Kent	Same	Unlicensed
4. Eftekharzeh, Hamid Reza	DLS Inc.	21467
5. Gurunyan, Robert	James Crawford	20739
6. Harandi, Masoud	Same	Unlicensed
7. Harris, Mack Leon	BC Chauffeur Inc.	19797
8. Herrera, Juan Taze	AJM Limo Srvs Inc.	22070
9. Huynh, Buu Duc	Same	Unlicensed
10. Huynh, Paul Phong Lam	Same	Unlicensed
11. Jordan, William	Shirley Ann Johnson	Unlicensed
12. Kanna, Nokiyasu	Shunji Watanabe	Unlicensed
13. Kratman, Gary H.	Same	9325
14. Lartundo, Roberto	Real Limo	23813
15. Simas, John Charles	LA Excursions Inc.	14465
16. Soth, Sneat	Ean Trust	Unlicensed
17. Wallace, Edward Hall	Awesome Limo Inc.	18740
18. Yim, Hansong	Young Mee Yoo	Unlicensed
19. Chang, Yung Hsin	Same	Unlicensed
20. Collins, Damon	Alternative Business Ent.	22143
21. Delgado, Ricardo D.	The Oak Hill Group LLC	23790
22. Dous, Magdy	Johnny Park	23633
23. Ghassemian, Amir	Always Adventure	21234
24. Huang, Chin Hsiang	Rainbow Shuttle	21616
25. Kato, Akemi	Base Transportation	16343
26. Li, Zhong Min	Correctale International Inc.	18975
27. Markarian, Sam	Elas Limo Svc.	22354
28. Meza, Jose Gil	Amdres DeLeon	Unlicensed
29. Nia, M Hossein	American Airport Towncar	26208
30. Pham Tien Kim	Duong Quen	Unlicensed
31. Richmond, Daniel	OC Limo	18623
32. Sumilang, Frank L.	Same	Unlicensed
33. Bell, Gregory Paul	Jackson Limo	2510
34. Bian, Jingyu	Same	Unlicensed
35. Dancs, Kalman	Gala Associates	Unlicensed
36. Dong, Seung Ho	Same	Unlicensed
37. Draganus, Ciprian D.	VIP Limo	10234
38. Genereaux, James A.	Sims Limo	20233
39. Hashemi, Mansour	King Limo	20789
40. Korol, Alexander	ELS Limo Svc	23266
41. Miles, Kenneth Lamar	Ervin Fullwood	Unlicensed
42. Rodriguez, Cynthia L.	Oceans One Limo	21999
43. Seino, Kenichi	Zion Limousine	20485
44. Son, Tae Chul	Same	Unlicensed
45. Tea, Jennie K.	Same	Unlicensed
46. Tulaganov, Bakham	American VIP Limo	22331
47. Wang, Chunming	Same	Unlicensed

Official Notice

Ten companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:

1. Advertised and operated as a Passenger Stage Corporation without a valid authority

2. Advertised and operated without a permit (prior to issuance, unlicensed, voluntary suspension, or revocation)

3. Advertised outside scope of its authority

4. Failed to file Public Utilities Commission Transportation Reimbursement Account report and remit payment

5. Failed to maintain records

6. Failed to maintain waybills

Companies cited:

1. Bruce Rudulph and Shannon Walker dba New Wave Transportation, Sacramento (Unlicensed)

1. Chauffeur Adamo, LLC, Santa Clara (Unlicensed)

2. Chris Silva dba Red Party Bus 20/20, San Jose (Unlicensed)

3. First Class Shuttle Inc., Redding (TCP 24920)

4. Gilberto Lemus, DBA Legacy Limousine Service, Oxnard (TCP 16380) 

5. Michael Joseph Ojeda dba Michaels Limousine Service, Fresno (TCP 14704)

6. Roger Tomlinson dba Antique Limousine Service, Merced (TCP 12830)

7. San Diego Luxury Transportation, San Diego (TCP 19933)

2. Syed Quirni dba Ride Ready Charter Fleet, Escondido (TCP 24541)

8. Tigran Godelekyan, ILS Limousine Service LLC, Pasadena (TCP 17884)

9. Vince McCowan dba Prime Star Limousine & Transportation Service, Ventura (TCP 24936)

10. Jamison Blaine Enterprises dba Jamison Blaine Concierge, Walnut Creek (TCP 26098-Denied)

Cease and Desist Notices

Seventy four companies were issued Cease and Desist notice for operating and advertising without a valid Passenger Stage Corporations or a charter-party authority (unlicensed, suspended, revoked, or expired).

Companies issued a Cease and Desist notice:

1. 5 Stars connection, Inc., Tracy (TCP 17406)

2. Aileen T. Laing dba A L S Limo Service, Vacaville (TCP 19911)

3. Alamo Luxury Limousine LLC, Alamo (TCP 17894)

4. Alexander Korol and ELS Limo Svc (TCP 23266)

5. Alta Loma Charter Inc., Rancho Cucamonga (TCP 19740-Revoked)

6. Alterber T. Freeman and Manjuladevi P Freeman dba Flat Rate Limos, San Jose (TCP 24468)

7. Amir Ghassemian and Always Adventure (TCP 21234)

8. Andy Puihang Cheung dba Wingon Travel, Sacramento (Unlicensed)

9. Anthony Taylor dba Limousines by Anthony, San Diego (TCP 21229)

10. Anthony Vu, Xe Do Loc- LV Express, Garden Grove (TCP 25067)

11. Artur Emmanuilov dba Lina Limousine, San Francisco (TCP 24963)

12. Ashot Andy Agdayan dba Newport Beach Luxury Transp., Newport Beach (TCP 21375)

13. At Your Service Inc., Elk Grove (TCP 16857)

14. Bent Tree Stables, LP, dba Steppin Out Limousines (TCP 10967)

15. Black Diamond Limousine, Inc., Orange (TCP 19810-Suspended)

16. Blue Star Parking LLC, Santa Barbara (Unlicensed)

17. Buu Duc Huynh (Unlicensed)

18. Carlos Lombrana dba Talk of the Town, Modesto (Unlicensed)

19. Chauffeur Adamo, LLC, Santa Clara (Unlicensed)

20. Chris Silva dba Bus 20/20, San Jose (Unlicensed)

21. Chunming Wang (Unlicensed)

22. Ciprian D. Draganus and VIP Limo (TCP 10234)

23. Curt Chandler dba Bay Area Racing Limos, Pittsburg (TCP 20573)

24. Cynthia L. Rodriguez and Oceans One Limo (TCP 21999)

25. Damon Collins and Alternative Business Ent (TCP 22143)

26. Daniel Richmond and OC Limo (TCP 18623)

27. Estanislao Morante De Guzman, Jr. dba Bay Area Romantic Tours, San Bruno (TCP 17675)

28. Fred Delrae Shawn Hemphill, Beverly Hills (Unlicensed)

29. Gary H. Kratman (TCP 9325)

30. Gerry Brenner dba KMA Limousine, Suisun City (TCP 11972)

31. Gold Rush Outfitters LLC dba Gold Rush Whitewater, Lotus (TCP 23605-Denied)

32. Greyhound Inc., Los Angeles (PSC/TCP 1)

33. Hamid Reza Eftekharzeh and DLS Inc (TCP 21467)

34. Hansong Yim and Young Mee Yoo (Unlicensed)

35. Harbans Singh Bansa dba Lux Cruze Limos, Tracy (Unlicensed)

36. Iris C. Rueda dba Lavish Limousine Service, Lathrop (TCP 22035)

37. James A. Genereaux and Sims Limo (TCP 20233)

38. Javier A. Carabes dba Imperial Limousines, San Jose (Unlicensed)

39. Jennie K. Tea (Unlicensed)

40. Jose Gil Meza and Amdres DeLeon (Unlicensed)

41. Kalman Dancs and Gala Associates (Unlicensed)

42. Kenichi Seino and Zion Limousine (TCP 20485)

43. Kenneth Lamar Miles and Ervin Fullwood (Unlicensed)

44. Kent Cun (Unlicensed)

45. Lisa L. Evans dba Lady L's Limo, Vallejo (TCP 20501)

46. Lucian Olar, Rama Limousines Inc./International Limos, Placentia (TCP 20293)

47. Luis Lawrence de Leon dba Legacy Limousine, Menlo Park (TCP 11727)

48. Lynde Wiseman dba La Jolla Wine Tours, La Jolla (Unlicensed)

49. Mansour Hashemi and King Limo (TCP 20789)

50. Mark Gieger, Pacific Platinum Services Inc., N. Hollywood (TCP 24479)

51. Marshall A. Childs dba Green Wheelz Livery, Menlo Park (TCP 22702)

52. Masoud Harandi (Unlicensed)

53. Megan Franks, dba Sunrise Balloons, Temecula (Unlicensed)

54. Michael Jordan Usunov, Danville (Unlicensed)

55. Michael Kellerman, Pausemo Inc., Hollywood Sightseeing Tours, Hollywood (TCP 22515)

56. Monster Magic LLC, dba Executive Transportation Club, San Jose (TCP 21006)

57. Nokiyasu Kanna and Shunji Watanabe (Unlicensed)

58. Oak Knoll Senior Living LLC, Paradise (TCP 25138)

59. One World Limousine, Redondo Beach (Pending)

60. Primo Limo Service, Los Angeles (TCP 23586)

61. Raphael N. Moghalu dba Century Limo, San Mateo (Unlicensed)

62. Ray Ramierez dba Hollywood Ray, San Diego (Unlicensed)

63. Robert Gurunyan and James Crawford (TCP 20739)

64. Robert Vaughn, Best Limousine, Huntington Beach (TCP-12933)

65. Roberto Lartundo and Real Limo (TCP 23813)

66. Rodolfo and Maria Chavez dba Shot Time LLC, Downey (Unlicensed)

67. Sheila Daly dba Let Me Take You There, Foster City (Unlicensed)

68. Signature Parking LLC, Montecito (Unlicensed)

69. Sneat Soth and Ean Trust (Unlicensed)

70. Steven Gardner dba 3B - Limousine Service, Santa Rosa (TCP 19855)

71. Tae Chul Son (Unlicensed)

72. Walter Barron and HTS Trans Svc. (TCP 20579)

73. Younan Gerges and HB Limos, Huntington Beach (Unlicensed)

74. Zyno Yang and Tory Douglas dba Prime Time Tours, Sunnyvale (TCP 17894)

For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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