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 IN FIRST QUARTER 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, April 26, 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 passenger carriers operating illegally in the first quarter of 2011.
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-seven companies were cited and fined (totaling $65,250) for one or more of these violations:
1. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance
2. Failed to enroll and/or pre-employment test drivers in a mandatory drug and alcohol program
3. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program
4. Operated and advertised vehicles outside the scope of the authority
5. Operated without a valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, unlicensed, or prior to issuance)
6. Operated without evidence of Public Liability and Property Damage insurance in effect and on file
7. General Order 157-D violation (engaged employees to drive that did not possess the proper Driver's License; underreported seating capacity of a vehicle; incomplete waybills)
8. Failed to file or underreported the annual PUCTRA statement and remit payment.
Companies cited:
1. Aaron Kim (Unlicensed)
2. Adolph Aguilar dba Silver Trans./Airport King (TCP 10718)
3. Andres Villalvazo dba San Jose Coachways, San Jose (TCP 15702)
4. Artak Avetisyan dba Dmitry Zaytsev (TCP 14627)
5. Augustin Rojas (Unlicensed)
6. Bay Quackers LLC, San Francisco (TCP 18774)
7. Black Diamond Limousine Inc. dba Black Diamond Limo and Sinbad Limousines and Transportation Services, Orange (TCP 19810)
8. Charles Novack dba Novack Family Trust (TCP none)
9. Con Dinh Nguyen and Brian Matthew Nguyen (Unlicensed)
10. Crossroads Investments, Inc. dba American Limo Services, Huntington Beach (TCP 20028)
11. Darryl J. D'Mello (Unlicensed)
12. Edward Ahad Heshmatpour and Kathryn Tehrani (TCP 18013)
13. Edward Mendoza and Yegageh Karimi (Unlicensed)
14. Feliciano Anzora (Unlicensed)
15. Gabriel Bong Cheol Choi and Gabriel Choi/Hee S. Han (Unlicensed)
16. Gabriel M. Nemeth dba B&C Chauffeur Inc (TCP 19797)
17. Gevorg Kyababchyan dba Charm LLC (TCP 20973)
18. Gordon W. Swan dba Exclusive Livery Sedan Svc. (TCP 22620)
19. Gum Ji Song (Unlicensed)
20. Ian P. Cassidy dba Embarque LA (TCP 25706)
21. James Branch and Kathleen Branch (Unlicensed)
22. James V Siegrist Jr (TCP 19375)
23. Jet Car Limo, Inc., South San Francisco (TCP 26370)
24. John Hyunjip Kim (Unlicensed)
25. John R. Limon and Farid M. Nikkhoo (TCP 19124)
26. Jose A. Torres dba AMG Town Car SVC LLC (TCP 21323)
27. Joy Airport Service, Inc., Santa Clara (TCP 17626)
28. Jun Wang dba Rong Xiang He (Unlicensed)
29. Larry J. Lockett and Nicholas Abbinanti (TCP 18008)
30. Let Me Take You There LLC, Foster City (TCP 26597)
31. Luis Lawrence de Leon dba Legacy Limousine, Menlo Park (TCP 11727)
32. Marcus Loya dba Loya Limousine Services, Whittier (TCP 22216)
33. Myung S. Park and Hye Y. Yoo (Unlicensed)
34. Oluisegun Adebanji Okie dba Lokie Limousine Service (TCP 18129)
35. Robert T. Mechaalani dba Hertz Vehicle LLC (Unlicensed)
36. Rowena Lucero Gomez dba American VIP Limousine Service, American Canyon (TCP 9397)
37. San Jose Coachlines LLC, San Jose (TCP 25818)
38. SB Sedan and Limo Service Corp., San Francisco (TCP 24958)
39. Sims Limousine Service LLC, Simi Valley (TCP 20233)
40. Tatiana Menaker dba TravelArt, San Francisco (TCP 25835)
41. Terrence R. Floyd and Noune Gevorgian (TCP 23449)
42. Thet Lwin Myint dba Malsi Ent. LLC (TCP 20194)
43. Valerie Coca dba Airport Direct, Chino Hills (TCP 15691)
44. Vasken Toutjian, dba Zippy Shuttle, Acton (TCP/PSC-20666)
45. Weiping Yang dba State Van Rental (Unlicensed)
46. Xianfeng Shi dba Luck Tours Service, Redwood City (TCP 23077)
47. Young Ung Lee (Unlicensed)
48. Yung K. Lin and Hsiao Chunwei (TCP 23364)
Criminal Filings
Following are status updates on the criminal cases filed:
1. Limoryde USA Inc., dba Vipryde Limousine, Elegant Ride Limousine, Rush Limousine Group, Tujunga (TCP 21940). Complaint # OCA0117 - The 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), 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). On March 3, 2011, a defense attorney indicated Fadi Moussaoui is willing to reimburse all the victims and plea no contest if his wife's involvement in the matter is dismissed, but an agreement was not reached. The Case is continued to May 5, 2011.
2. DLFI, LLC dba Northstar Limousine Enterprises, Karmel Transportation (TCP 22784-B Suspended). Complaint #10HM08681. The company is charged with operating after permit suspension; failing to have evidence of public liability insurance coverage in effect; engaging employees without workers' compensation insurance; failing to enroll drivers in the DMV Pull Notice Program; failing to enroll drivers in a mandatory in a mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program; and failing to report all vehicles operated. On March 30, 2011, the Orange County Deputy District Attorney amended the case to charge Faust Minor II, a managing member of DLFI, LLC. Minor pleaded guilty to one count of operating without a permit. Counts two to seven were dismissed for plea. Minor was fined $3,900, which includes court fees and penalty assessment. Minor will serve one year of informal probation. Minor's additional probation conditions are that he will 1) dissolve the California entity DLFI, LLC and discontinue operations; 2) notify and surrender any and all transportation permits issued to Minor and DLFI, LLC to the CPUC immediately; 3) notify the DMV that DLFI LLC is no longer a valid entity operating in California and to either re-register all vehicles into Minor's name or transfer all vehicles previously registered in the name of DLFI LLC to an unrelated living person but not to a corporate or fictitious entity; 4) not engage in work for or operate any transportation for hire in California without first obtaining leave of court and having a valid authority and liability insurance to engage in such business issued by the CPUC.
Phone Disconnect
In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlicensed passenger carriers, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to one passenger carrier operating in California without a charter-party 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.
1. Santa Cruz Airport Shuttle, Sunnyvale (Unlicensed). The Company advertised and offered limousine and shuttle services on the Internet. The advertisements listed five phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet. On February 25, 2011, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge ordering the disconnection of telephone service to the five numbers advertised and used by the company 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) |
37 |
Number of vehicles impounded |
34 |
Individuals or Entities Cited by LAWA for Unlicensed Operation:
Defendant Name |
Registered owner |
TCP# |
1. Adolph Aguilar |
Silver Trans./Airport King |
10718 |
2. Feliciano Anzora |
Same |
Unlicensed |
3. Artak Avetisyan |
Dmitry Zaytsev |
14627 |
4. James Branch |
Kathleen Branch |
Unlicensed |
5. Loc Bui |
Truong Bui |
Unlicensed |
6. Ian P. Cassidy |
Embarque LA |
25706 |
7. Oscar W. Castro |
Ordonez, Maria J. |
19594 |
8. Hong Chen |
Same |
Unlicensed |
9. Ron Chem Chin |
Same |
Unlicensed |
10. Gabriel Bong Cheol Choi |
Gabriel Choi/Hee S. Han |
Unlicensed |
11. Darryl J. D'Mello |
Same |
Unlicensed |
12. Terrence R. Floyd |
Noune Gevorgian |
23449 |
13. Edward Ahad Heshmatpour |
Kathryn Tehrani |
18013 |
14. Aaron Kim |
Same |
Unlicensed |
15. John Hyunjip Kim |
Same |
Unlicensed |
16. Gevorg Kyababchyan |
Charm LLC |
20973 |
17. Young Ung Lee |
Same |
Unlicensed |
18. John R. Limon |
Farid M. Nikkhoo |
19124 |
19. Yung K. Lin |
Hsiao Chunwei |
23364 |
20. Larry J. Lockett |
Nicholas Abbinanti |
18008 |
21. Robert T. Mechaalani |
Hertz Vehicle LLC. |
Unlicensed |
22. Edward Mendoza |
Yegageh Karimi |
Unlicensed |
23. Thet Lwin Myint |
Malsi Ent. LLC |
20194 |
24. Gabriel M. Nemeth |
B&C Chauffeur Inc |
19797 |
25. Con Dinh Nguyen |
Brian Matthew Nguyen |
Unlicensed |
26. Charles Novack |
Novack Family Trust |
Unlicensed |
27. Oluisegun Adebanji Okie |
Lokie Limousine Service |
18129 |
28. Kwang H. Park |
Renty Car Rental |
Unlicensed |
29. Myung S. Park |
Hye Y. Yoo |
Unlicensed |
30. Augustin Rojas |
Augustin Rojas |
Unlicensed |
31. Oscar R Salvador |
Wendaline Alejo |
Unlicensed |
32. James V Jr Siegrist |
Same |
19375 |
33. Gum Ji Song |
Same |
Unlicensed |
34. Gordon W. Swan |
Exclusive Livery Sedan Svc. |
22620 |
35. Jose A. Torres |
AMG Town Car SVC LLC |
21323 |
36. Jun Wang |
Rong Xiang He |
Unlicensed |
37. Weiping Yang |
State Van Rental |
Unlicensed |
Official Notice
Nine companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:
1. Engaged workers without evidence of workers' compensation insurance
2. Failed to enroll drivers in a controlled substance testing certification program
3. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV pull notice
4. Incomplete waybills
5. Operated and advertised without a valid permit (revoked, expired, prior to issuance or unlicensed)
6. Operated with no public liability insurance
Companies cited:
1. Akop Madanyan dba MAHH Limousine, Los Angeles (TCP21371)
2. Aksu Erdogan dba Limo Noir, Brisbane (TCP 25074)
3. Curt Chandler dba Bay Area Racing Limos and White Diamond Limousines & Transportation Corp., Pittsburg (TCP 20573)
4. Friendly Transportation Inc., Oakland (TCP 16412)
5. Hecker Transportation LLC, Santa Maria (TCP 26218)
6. Manuel E. Ramirez dba Skittlez Auto Body Shuttle Service, Salinas (TCP 26950)
7. Theresa House dba Pick A Theme Limousine, Temecula (TCP 26909)
8. WeDriveU, Inc., Burlingame (TCP 14288)
9. Yvonne Steinert dba Errand Jugglers, Folsom (Unlicensed)
Cease and Desist Notices
Seventy-four companies were issued a Cease and Desist notice for: operating and/or advertising without a valid PSC or a charter-party authority (unlicensed, suspended, revoked, denied, or expired):
1. A Professional Image Limousine, Elk Grove (TCP 20949)
2. Aaron Kim (Unlicensed)
3. Ace Xpress Charter, Livermore (TCP 23281)
4. Adolph Aguilar and Silver Trans./Airport King (TCP 10718)
5. Angeles Tours, Arleta (Unlicensed)
6. ANSL Enterprises Inc., dba XLS Limo Service, Glendale (TCP 20044)
7. Artak Avetisyan and Dmitry Zaytsev (TCP 14627)
8. Augustin Rojas (Unlicensed)
9. Charles Novack and Novack Family Trust (Unlicensed)
10. Coach Skyline USA Inc, dba Coach Skyline USA Inc., Temple City (TCP 23798)
11. Coastal Breeze Limousine, LLC, Sacramento (TCP 20641)
12. Con Dinh Nguyen and Brian Matthew Nguyen (Unlicensed)
13. Darryl J. D'Mello (Unlicensed)
14. Eddie Zapata Sr. dba An Extreme Dream Limo, Murrieta (TCP 18996)
15. Edward Mendoza and Yegageh Karimi (Unlicensed)
16. Elena Machkine dba Wine Country 4 U, San Rafael (Unlicensed)
17. Feliciano Anzora (Unlicensed)
18. Feliks Geghamyan and Harry Swmirjyan (TCP 26788)
19. Felipe Hernandez dba Elite School Transit, Arcadia (TCP 24014)
20. Gabriel Bong Cheol Choi and Gabriel Choi/Hee S. Han (Unlicensed)
21. Gabriel M. Nemeth and B&C Chauffeur Inc (TCP 19797)
22. Gordon W. Swan and Exclusive Livery Sedan Svc. (TCP 22620)
23. Grady and Gina O'Bryant dba Escapesac.com, Sacramento Wine & Nightlife Tours, and Sacramento Day Trippers, Sacramento (Unlicensed)
24. Gum Ji Song (Unlicensed)
25. Gurmeet Sahni dba Century Limo, Pleasanton (Unlicensed)
26. Happyman Entertainment, LLC, Baldwin Park (TCP 26001)
27. Hecker Transportation LLC, Santa Maria (TCP 26218)
28. Hong Chen (Unlicensed)
29. Ian P. Cassidy and Embarque LA (TCP 25706)
30. James Branch and Kathleen Branch (Unlicensed)
31. James V Jr Siegrist (TCP 19375)
32. James William Bryce and Surf City Shuttle Inc. dba Santa Cruz Airporters, Santa Cruz (TCP 25495)
33. John Hyunjip Kim (Unlicensed)
34. John R. Limon and Farid M. Nikkhoo (TCP 19124)
35. Jose A. Torres and AMG Town Car SVC LLC (TCP 21323)
36. Jun Wang and Rong Xiang He (Unlicensed)
37. Karan Sharma, Modesto (Unlicensed)
38. Kent Limousine, LLC, San Rafael (TCP 14655)
39. Ki Sik Jang and Yong Man Kim dba Go Go Han Limo Service. Buena Park (TCP 16089)
40. Kwang H. Park and Renty Car Rental (Unlicensed)
41. La Nueva Concord's Express LLC. Chula Vista (PSC 24285)
42. Larry J. Lockett and Nicholas Abbinanti (TCP 18008)
43. Leones Tours LLC, Santa Ana (PSC 26019)
44. Limo Pimps, San Diego (Unlicensed)
45. Luis Guzman, Tres Estrellas de Oro, Huntington Park (Unlicensed)
46. Miguel Angel Alvarez dba Limo Bus 2 Go, San Jose (TCP 26179)
47. Mohammed T. Khasanneh and Mohammed Muhsin (TCP 25413)
48. Moses Washington and Yosef Joe Alem (TCP 23010)
49. MYSFLIMO, Daly City (TCP 23221)
50. Myung S. Park and Hye Y. Yoo (Unlicensed)
51. OEC International Travellers Club LLC, San Rafael (Unlicensed)
52. Oluisegun Adebanji Okie and Lokie Limousine Service (TCP 18129)
53. Oscar R Salvador and Wendaline Alejo (Unlicensed)
54. Oscar W. Castro and Maria J. Ordonez (TCP 19594)
55. Rare Elegance, Baskersfield (Unlicensed)
56. Robert T. Mechaalani and Hertz Vehicle LLC. (Unlicensed)
57. Ron Chem Chin (Unlicensed)
58. Saenz Express LLC, Chula Vista (PSC 24285)
59. Salvador Quintana Jr., dba Baja Limousine Reservation, Huntington Park (Unlicensed)
60. San Francisco Gold Car Service LLC, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
61. Sandra Cazares, dba Transportes Ejecutivos de Occidente, Los Angeles (Unlicensed)
62. Shot Time LLC, Downey (Unlicensed)
63. Southern Cali Limousine, LLC (TCP 21151)
64. Tarig Nihad Al-Sharif & Hassan Belkhiri dba Affinity Transport, Burlingame (Unlicensed)
65. The James Commuter LLC, Pinole (Unlicensed)
66. Thet Lwin Myint and Malsi Ent. LLC (TCP 20194)
67. Tina Marie Blake dba OTB Limo, Irvine (TCP 18795)
68. Valentino Chauffeur Service (TCP 17086)
69. VIP Mobile Lounge LLC, Stockton (Unlicensed)
70. VMC Travel Express LLC, San Jose (TCP 20586)
71. Weiping Yang and State Van Rental (Unlicensed)
72. Young Ung Lee (Unlicensed)
73. Yung K. Lin and Hsiao Chunwei (TCP 23364)
74. Yvonne Steinert dba Errand Jugglers, Folsom (Unlicensed)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
###
