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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: PUC Press Office, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FINES IMPOSED ON VARIOUS MOVING COMPANIES

SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, 2007 - During the first quarter of 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) took the following enforcement actions against moving companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code, and PUC rules and regulations including Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4).

Administrative Citations

Three companies were cited and fined (totaling $4,000) for various violations listed below. These companies now have an active permit.

Companies cited are:

Phone Disconnection and Criminal Filing

PUC staff obtained a court order and disconnected the telephone service of an unlicensed Arroyo Grande moving company. The court found that the three specified numbers were used by Mike Spisak dba Spisak and Sons Moving (Spisak) in violation of the law, as Spisak was advertising moving services in the Yellow Pages directories without a valid permit issued by the PUC. Spisak now has an active permit (MTR-190363).

Criminal Filings

As a result of consumer complaints, PUC staff conducted an investigation and submitted a report to the Los Angeles City Attorney's requesting a criminal complaint be filed against these two unlicensed companies:

1. Easy Moving, Inc. dba Easy Moving, Arleta (MTR 190029-Denied): In Case No. 6CA02583, the corporation and its officers, Tamir Raz and Nahum Raz, were charged with two counts of operating without a household goods permit, one count of advertising without a permit, two counts of not providing Important Notice About Your Move, and nine counts of violating MAX 4 rules. Tamir Raz pled to one count each of operations without a permit and not providing the Important Notice About Your Move. He was sentenced to 36 months summary probation, served 20 days jail time or Caltrans duty, and paid $1,000 for PUC investigative cost. Nahum Raz pled no contest to one count of operations without a permit. He was sentenced to 24 months summary probation, serve five days of Caltrans duty or 100 hours of community service, and pay $1,000 for PUC investigative cost. Both were ordered to pay $7,667 in restitution to three victims.

2. Hassan Velashjerdi dba LA Transport, Tarzana (MTR-190257-Revoked). In Case No. 6CA02485, Mr. Velashjerdi pled "nolo contender" to one count each of operations without a permit, and failing to complete the Important Notice About Your Move document.  He was sentenced to 36 months summary probation, serve 20 consecutive days in jail or perform 20 consecutive days of CalTrans or MTA/Pace Graffiti Removal or HBT. He was also ordered to pay $960 in restitution to a consumer, $100 to Victim's Restitution fund, $1,000 for PUC investigative cost, and $20 court house security fee.

Official Notice

Two companies were issued Official Notice for advertising or operating prior to issuance of a permit. Both companies now have an active permit. Companies cited are:

Cease and Desist Notice

PUC staff issued 20 cease and desist notices to moving companies for operating and advertising without a valid permit. These companies are:

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