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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

SAN FRANCISCO, October 19, 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 third 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

PLM Bay Area Movers, Inc. (MTR 190787) based in Redwood City was fined $1,500 for the following violations:

Phone Disconnect

In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to five moving companies operating in California without a household goods permit. These companies continue to advertise and hold themselves out to engage in the business of transporting used household goods, notwithstanding CPUC staff directives to immediately cease and desist unlawful acts and to obtain a household goods permit.

1. Antonio "Tony" Vidal dba Tony's Movers, Sunnyvale (Unlicensed) - This company advertised and offered moving services on its truck and on the Internet.  The advertisements listed one phone number. The company continued to advertise its unlawful operations resulting in CPUC staff obtaining a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the phone number advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in the State of California.

2. Tianming Zhang doing business as Fasttran Moving Co., Fast Transportation, Fastlane Transportation and Fastlane Transportation, LLC, San Jose (Unlicensed) - This company advertised and offered household goods moving services on the Internet. The advertisements listed three phone numbers and one fax number. The company continued to advertise its unlawful operations resulting in CPUC staff obtaining a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the four numbers advertised and used by the carrier to violate criminal laws in the State of California.

3. Kevin Patrick McInerney doing business as Make Your Move Moving Company, Sacramento (Unlicensed). Carrier advertised and offered household goods moving services on the Internet at his own website (makeyourmovemovingcompany.com), on Craigslist.org, and Yellow Book USA. The advertisements listed three phone numbers. Carrier continued to advertise its unlawful operations resulting in CPSD obtaining 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 telephone numbers advertised and used by carrier to violate criminal laws in the State of California.

4. Bradford "Brad" Eakes and Zach Symmes doing business as Two Hunks in a Truck, San Francisco (Unlicensed) - This company advertised and offered household goods moving services on the Internet. The advertisements listed two phone numbers. The company continued to advertise its unlawful operations resulting in CPUC staff obtaining a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a San Francisco County Superior Court Judge. The Finding orders disconnection of telephone service to the two numbers advertised and used by the carrier to violate criminal laws in the State of California.

5. Donnie Vinson doing business as Vinson Moving Co., San Jose (Unlicensed) - This company advertised and offered household goods moving services on the Internet without authority. The advertisement listed one telephone number. The company continued to advertise its unlawful operations resulting in CPUC staff obtaining 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 the State of California.

Criminal Filings

Following is an update on two criminal cases previously filed:

Official Notice

Three companies were issued Official Notice for advertising and operating without a permit.

Companies cited:

Cease and Desist Notice

Nineteen companies were issued cease and desist (C&D) notices for operating and advertising without a valid permit (unlicensed, revoked or denied).

Companies issued C&D:

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

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