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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, July 20, 2007 - During the second quarter of 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Consumer Protection and Safety Division, Transportation Enforcement Section, 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 Citation

Three companies were cited and fined (totaling $12,250) for violations ranging from:

Companies cited are:

Official Notice

Four companies were issued Official Notice for one of these violations: advertised or operated prior to issuance of a permit, failed to include a Cal-T # in advertisement, failed to issue a Change Order or a Not To Exceed Price. Companies cited are:

Cease and Desist Notice

PUC staff issued 17 cease and desist notices to moving companies for operating and advertising without a valid permit. These companies are:

Other

American Eagle Moving Co., Inc. (MTR-190112-Revoked): In March 2006, the PUC fined this moving company for operating without a permit and ordered carrier to pay $4,300 in consumer restitution for overcharges. The company obtained a permit; however, it was subsequently revoked for various reasons including failing to pay the PUC fine. Subsequently, the PUC received two consumer complaints that the company alleging that the company took consumer goods and did not deliver them as promised. PUC staff was able to locate one consumer's goods and arranged for its release. In the other case, PUC staff obtained documentation on the mover from a consumer and also suggested that the consumer file a police report. Subsequently, PUC staff learned that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had located the moving truck parked on a street. The truck had expired plates and therefore was impounded by the police, and subsequently sold as a lien sale. PUC staff provided the consumer with the new provision of the Public Utilities Code that authorizes peace officers to take possession of goods being held hostage. This helped to secure release of the goods to the consumer. The carrier has five vans, all of which have expired plates. In the course of the investigation, staff located two of these five vans parked on the street and informed the LAPD. These vehicles were also impounded for expired DMV registration.   The company was also evicted from its office/storage facility and is now out of business.

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