California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE 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, January 28, 2009 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in its ongoing commitment to consumer protection, has taken a number of actions to protect consumers from illegally operating moving companies.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, 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
Movers on the Move LA, LLC, based in Tarzana (MTR 190513), was cited and fined for operating without a permit; without evidence of PLPD and cargo insurance on file, and MAX 4 violations.
Phone Disconnect
In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to seven 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. Section 5322 of the Public Utilities Code provides for any person aggrieved by this action may file a complaint with the CPUC and request a hearing.
1. Marlon Arauz dba Door to Door Moving and Delivery Service, Palm Desert (Unlicensed). Defendant advertises his unlawful moving business in various media outlets including "The User-Friendly Phone Book" Coachella Valley area, and business cards in which defendant offers "Same Day Service, Free Mileage, Free Estimate, Licensed" local and out-of-town moving services. Defendant continues to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On October 20, 2008, staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by Indio Superior Court Judge B.J. Bjork. The order finds that telephone service at one number was being used to violate criminal laws of the State of California.
2. Tony Duncan dba Another Move, Palm Springs (Unlicensed). Defendant advertises his unlawful moving business in the "Movers-Moving", "Delivery Service", and "Moving Supplies" sections of the "The Desert Pages-Yellow Book" 2008 issue, Palm Springs Area. Defendant's advertisements offer "Free Estimate, Licensed and Insured, Local and Long Distance" moving service. Defendant continues to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On November 21, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by Indio Superior Court Judge Dale R. Wells. The order finds that telephone service at two numbers was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
3. Michael A. Barone, Diane Barone and Fred Stevens dba A Budget Movers, Inc. and Wilson Moving and Storage, Garden Grove (MTR 171,114-Revoked). Defendants advertise its unlawful moving business on the Internet at four websites and through posting and distributing of flyers. The advertisements offered residential and office moves with a low cost fully licensed and insured moving company serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The flyer also included offers of free estimates, short notice moves 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with experienced professional movers. Defendants represented that it is full service moving and storage company, fully licensed by the State and insured, and that it has been in the business for over 20 years doing residential and office moves. Defendants continue to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On November 20, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by Westminster Superior Court Judge Eric L. Larsh. The order finds that telephone service at four numbers was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
4. Leroy Luckett dba QPSA/The Movers and CYL, Inc./The Movers, Beaumont (Unlicensed). Defendant advertises his unlawful moving services under the "Movers & Full Service Storage" section of the Local Phone Book directory, Banning-Beaumont area, 2008 / 2009 issue. The advertisement offers local and long distance moves, and misrepresents to the public that it is licensed. Defendant continues to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On November 25, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by Banning Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez. The order finds that telephone service at two numbers was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
5. Robert Odell, doing business as Allmighty Moving & Hauling, El Cajon (Unlicensed). Defendant advertises his unlawful moving services under the "Movers", "Boxes-Corrugated and Fibre", and "Cleanup and Hauling Service" section of the Yellow Book directory, San Diego East County 2008-2009 issue. Defendant also advertises on the Internet at four different sites. The advertisement offers local moving service, including pianos and organ moves. Defendant continues to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On November 20, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Roger W. Krauel. The order finds that telephone service at one number was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
6. Amex Movers, Inc. doing business as "Moving Experts", "US Moving Experts" and "Peak Movers"; Peak Movers, Inc.; Ernestas Dranseika, CEO; and Deividas "David" Dranseika, President., Los Angeles (Unlicensed). Defendants advertise its unlawful moving business on the Internet at various websites offering residential moves at hourly rates, which includes free packing boxes, basic insurance, and fuel. Defendants advertised a revoked Cal-T# 190039, and represented in its advertisements that it is licensed, insured, and bonded. Prior to the phone disconnection, defendants were administratively fined in August 2006 for violations of CPUC rules and regulations, and MAX 4 Tariff. Defendants continue to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting operations. On November 25, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gilbert R. Ruiz. The order finds that telephone service at five numbers was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
7. Michael Benefico dba Best Movers, Palm Desert (Unlicensed). Defendant advertises his unlawful moving business through the placing of his business cards taped to mail boxes at apartment complexes throughout San Diego County. Defendant continues to violate the law as evidenced by CPUC staff sting call. On December 11, 2008, CPUC staff obtained an order of "Finding of Probable Cause" signed by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Richard S. Whitney. The order finds that telephone service at one number was being used to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
Official Notice
Nine companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:
1. Charging for tape in violation of MAX 4
2. Engaged employees without workers' compensation insurance
3. Failed to file a fictitious business name statement
4. Failed to place Cal-T-# on the Internet website
5. Failing to include Cal T-number on documents
6. Operated without a permit
7. Operating and advertising without a permit
8. Providing estimates without visual inspection
9. Valuation violation
The companies cited were:
1. All State Moving and Storage dba Jet Lines Moving and Storage, San Jose (MTR 190258)
2. America Asia Angeles, Inc. dba General Moving, Leon Zhang, Manager, El Monte (MTR 188719-Pending)
3. American Choice Van Lines LLC, San Jose (MTR 190490)
4. Auspicious Moving Corporation, Wen Sheng Li, CEO, Temple City (MTR 189342-Revoked; MTR 190344-Active)
5. Carlos Espinoza dba Delivery Solutions By Carlos, Cathedral City (Unlicensed)
6. HB Move, LLC dba Homeward Bound Moving, Pasadena (MTR 190397)
7. Jill Suzanne Hickerson dba Movers For Less, Huntington Beach (MTR 189115)
8. Randy Maestas dba Randy's Hauling and Moving and Randy's Moving, Sacramento
9. WWW.FIXPRICEMOVE.COM CORP, San Jose (MTR 190319)
Cease and Desist Notice
The CPUC issued 28 cease and desist notices to the companies listed below for one or more of these violations:
1. Operating and advertising without a valid permit
2. Using fictitious business names without filing with the CPUC as required by MAX 4 tariff
3. Engaging workers without workers' compensation insurance on file
Companies cited were
1. A Budget Movers/Wilson Moving and Storage, Garden Grove (MTR 171114 Revoked)
2. Bong Hwa Transport Service, Los Angeles (Unlicensed)
3. Cal Express Moving and Storage Company, Richmond (MTR 190492-Denied)
4. Callen Services, Palm Desert (Unlicensed)
5. Caroline Kurema dba Tana Movers, Santa Rosa (MTR 190489-Pending)
6. CHS Transportation dba Stevens Moving and Storage, San Jose (MTR 190378)
7. David Chen dba M.C. Moving, San Francisco (Unlicensed)
8. Desert Express Delivery & Moving Co., Indio (MTR 190560-Pending)
9. Discount Movers, Santa Barbara (Unlicensed)
10. Elite Moving and Transportation, Inc., Florida (Unlicensed)
11. Fidelity Van Lines, Inc., Chatsworth (Unlicensed)
12. Francisco Alvarez dba The Roosters Moving Company, San Jose (Unlicensed)
13. Hector Pezzarossi dba Trans-One Moving, San Carlos (Unlicensed)
14. JFS Transport, Encinitas (Unlicensed)
15. Jose Ventura dba Chasquis Moving Services, Redwood City (Unlicensed)
16. Kirk Maurer dba Iron Man Moving, Pacifica (MTR 188950)
17. Mary Leunis and Deida Patino dba Patriot One Moving and Storage Company, Palmdale (Unlicensed)
18. Midway Express, Los Angeles (Unlicensed)
19. Nate Stewart and David Wagonner dba Nate and Dave's Moving Service, Carmichael (Unlicensed)
20. Paul Hernandez dba Discount Moving, Lompoc (Unlicensed)
21. Rene C. Perez (co-partner) dba Strong Young Movers, Alameda (MTR 189174)
22. Sergio Flores dba Desert Express Delivery, Co., Indio (Unlicensed)
23. Southwest Van Lines, Inc. (Unlicensed)
24. Storage and Relocation Inc., Sun Valley (MTR 190541-pending)
25. The Charles E Corporation dba Storage and Moving Center, San Leandro (MTR 190102)
26. Uni Line Inc., San Francisco (MTR 189284)
27. Vera Smolova dba Got 2 Move, San Francisco (MTR 190085)
28. Yu Zhi Zhao, Pres. of Zhao's North-East Int'l Trading Inc., Monterey Park (Unlicensed)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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