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 THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 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 passenger carriers.
During the second quarter of 2011, 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
Thirty-five companies were cited and fined (totaling $51,500) for one or more of these violations:
1. Advertised and represented its services as a taxi service.
2. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance.
3. Failed to enroll and/or pre-employment test drivers in a mandatory drug and alcohol program.
4. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program.
5. Failed to file or underreported the annual PUCTRA statement and remit payment.
6. Failed to provide access to records and vehicles.
7. General Order 157-D violation (engaged drivers without the proper CDLs; underreported seating capacity of a vehicle; failed to maintain a current equipment list; advertised fictitious business names not filed with the CPUC; failed to include the TCP number incomplete waybills).
8. Operated and advertised vehicles outside the scope of the authority.
9. Operated without a valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, unlicensed, or prior to issuance).
10. Operated without evidence of public liability and property damage insurance in effect and on file.
Companies cited:
1. 5 Stars Connection, Inc., San Leandro (TCP 17406)
2. A Professional Image Limousine LLC, Sacramento (TCP 20949)
3. Artur Emmanuilov dba Lina Limousine, San Francisco (TCP 24963)
4. Batrez LLC dba Executive Ground Transportation, Los Angeles (TCP 20631)
5. Chai Enterprises LLC, San Francisco (TCP 25939)
6. Claudio Ramirez and Juana Rivera (Unlicensed)
7. Coastal Breeze Limousine LLC, Sacramento (TCP 20641)
8. Dia M. Fnaish and Tanya A. Martinez dba Brentwood Coach, Brentwood (TCP 23801)
9. Edward Mendoza and Yegageh Karimi (Unlicensed)
10. Gurpreet Kaur dba Royal Shuttle, Stockton (TCP 17337)
11. Iris C. Rueda dba Lavish Limousine Service, Lathrop (TCP 22035)
12. James Branch and Kathleen Branch (Unlicensed)
13. Jerry Rompis dba Hertz Vehicle LLC. (Unlicensed)
14. Joshua K. Chang and Jae S. Chang (Unlicensed)
15. Juiyun Tsai (Unlicensed)
16. LA Top Shuttles, Inc. dba Shuttle One, Los Angeles (TCP 6235)
17. Luxury Sports LLC, Whittier (TCP 26106)
18. Mohammad Ayesh dba Lulu Limousine, San Mateo (TCP 24753)
19. Moises Recinos and Jose Sarmiento (TCP 15328)
20. MSL Community Management LLC, Irvine (TCP 26092)
21. Oscar Lopez and Javier Marquez (Unlicensed)
22. Prehm Gadwal dba Runways Limousine & Runways Limousine, Inc., Hayward (TCP24545/26569)
23. Rafael Perez and Jose Bermal (Unlicensed)
24. Shannon Toi Jones dba First Impression Limousine, Los Angeles (TCP 26463)
25. Siamak D Davoodi (Unlicensed)
26. Starlite Limo LLC. Sacramento (TCP 17044)
27. Sun Tae Kim and Lee Won (Unlicensed)
28. Sung Y. Suh and Choi Sun (Unlicensed)
29. Thouqan Issa Makableh dba Travel Limousine & Sedan Service, San Bruno (TCP 10157)
30. Tory M. Douglas dba Lime Lite Excursions, Sunnyvale (TCP 26701)
31. Travel Limousine & Transportation, Inc., San Bruno (TCP 25025)
32. Whang Bok Baek and Yong Ja Baek (Unlicensed)
33. Young Cheal Kim (Unlicensed)
34. Zyno Yang & Tory Douglas dba Prime Time Tours, Thrillz on Wheelz, Sunnyvale (TCP 25582)
35. Zyno Ocean Yang dba Elitexcursions, Sunnyvale (TCP 26842)
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 - This 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). This case is continued to July 25, 2011.
Phone Disconnect
In its ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlicensed passenger carriers, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to two passenger carriers for continued advertising in California without a charter-party permit.
1. Manuel Angel Alvarez dba Limo Bus 2 Go, San Jose (TCP 26179-Revoked). This company advertised and offered transportation services on the Internet. The advertisement listed two phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff's Cease and Desist letter directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On April 28, 2011, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge that orders disconnection of telephone service to the two numbers advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the State of California.
2. Gerry J. Brenner dba KMA Limousine Service, KMA Corporate Sedan and Limousine Service, KMA Limousine, and Napa Valley Wine Tours (TCP 11972). This company advertised and offered charter-party carrier of passenger services on the Internet after its charter-party permit had been revoked. The advertisements listed three phone numbers. Notwithstanding CPUC staff's Cease and Desist letters and verbal communication directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On May 2, 2011, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Solano County Superior Court Judge that orders disconnection of telephone service to the three phone 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) |
32 |
Number of vehicles impounded |
28 |
Individuals or Entities Cited by LAWA for Unlicensed Operation:
Defendant Name |
Registered owner |
TCP# |
1. Abbas S Ardebili |
Atlas Rent A Car |
Unlicensed |
2. Andres Sores |
Jesus Zores |
Unlicensed |
3. Aris Asaouriyan |
Kristine Shahnazrian |
22767 |
4. Bernadette Dora Mason |
PCAM LLC |
25930 |
5. Bryan Eliazar Hernandez |
James Lara/Maritza Reyes |
Unlicensed |
6. Chul Lee Hyung |
Kyoung Bo Lee |
24054 |
7. Claudio Ramirez |
Juana Rivera |
Unlicensed |
8. Gustavo Armando Castaneda |
Hilda & Gustavo Castaneda |
Unlicensed |
9. Hitoshi Harima |
Isogawa Transportation |
19429 |
10. Iriaok Hidakel Suares |
Derick Heredia |
Unlicensed |
11. Jerry Rompis |
Hertz Vehicle LLC. |
Unlicensed |
12. Jingyu Mun |
Yoo Hyun Sil |
Unlicensed |
13. Joshua K. Chang |
Jae S. Chang |
Unlicensed |
14. Juiyun Tsai |
Same |
Unlicensed |
15. Jungsoo Kang |
Lee Presca S |
Unlicensed |
16. Kunyong Kim |
Lee H. Myung |
23393 |
17. Lance Hawkins |
Perl Enterprises |
16920 |
18. Lewis McKendree Nolden |
Skywater Transp or Ross Lee |
Unlicensed |
19. Ming Q. Wu |
Same |
Unlicensed |
20. Mohamed Kabbaj |
Express Limo |
25599 |
21. Moises Recinos |
Jose Sarmiento |
15328 |
22. Nestor Zegarra Quintana |
Francisco Mateo |
Unlicensed |
23. Oscar Lopez |
Javier Marquez |
Unlicensed |
24. Rafael Perez |
Jose Bermal |
Unlicensed |
25. Sevak Sargsyan |
Star Express Corp |
26546 |
26. Siamak D Davoodi |
Same |
Unlicensed |
27. Sun Tae Kim |
Lee Won |
Unlicensed |
28. Sung Y. Suh |
Choi Sun |
Unlicensed |
29. Virginia Saucedo |
Pedro Valencia |
Unlicensed |
30. Whang Bok Baek |
Yong Ja Baek |
Unlicensed |
31. Young Cheal Kim |
Same |
Unlicensed |
32. Zhibo Xu |
Newstars Tours |
26350 |
Official Notice
Six companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:
1. Advertised as a taxi service
2. Advertised without a TCP number
3. Advertised without a permit
4. Engaged drivers without workers' compensation insurance on file and in effect
5. Failed to update equipment statement
6. Incomplete or no waybills
7. Used fictitious business names not on file with the CPUC
Companies cited:
1. Cotijas Transportation LLC, El Monte (TCP 24807)
2. Farid Yadollahi dba Patterson Limousine Service, Patterson (TCP 23022)
3. Samir Abdallah Shehadeh dba California VIP, Fair Oaks (TCP 26795)
4. Splot Inc. dba Folsom Limo, Folsom (TCP 25990)
5. Thomas Deborba dba Absolute Limousine Services, Oakley (Unlicensed)
6. Vahan Grigorian dba A Advance Limo Service, Glendale (TCP 12560)
Cease and Desist Notices
Seventy companies were issued cease and desist (C&D) notice for:
1. Operating and/or advertising without a valid charter-party authority (unlicensed, suspended, revoked, denied or expired)
Companies issued C&D:
1. A Day in Nature Corp., San Francisco (Unlicensed
2. Abbas S Ardebili dba Atlas Rent A Car (Unlicensed)
3. Abu Samaha Limousine, Sherman Oaks (Unlicensed)
4. Adventures Rolling Cross Country Inc., Mill Valley (Unlicensed)
5. Aguilas Del Desierto LLC dba Cachanilla Express, Fontana (PSG 20407)
6. Ali Pourtakin dba Onyx Transportation, San Francisco (TCP 18459)
7. Aljammal Adnan DBA Elite Chauffeur Limousine and Tours, Santa Barbara (T-22452)
8. Allied Airbus Inc., Millbrae (Unlicensed)
9. Amigos Transportation LLC, Tustin (Unlicensed)
10. Andrea M. Plackett, dba A and J Limousine, Santa Barbara (TCP 16049-Expired)
11. Appellation Tours, Inc., dba Beau Wine Tours, Sonoma (TCP 14726)
12. Aris Asaouriyan and Kristine Shahnazrian (22767)
13. Bernadette Dora Mason dba PCAM LLC (25930)
14. Bhupinder Saini dba Stockton Airporter & Stockton Sedan, Stockton (TCP 13851)
15. Claudio Ramirez and Juana Rivera (Unlicensed)
16. Coach Skyline USA Inc ., Monterey Park (TCP 23798- Revoked)
17. Dean Lunardi dba Absolute Limo & Lunardi Limousine, Livermore (Unlicensed)
18. DNereos Limousine Service, Inc., West Covina (Unlicensed)
19. Edward Mendoza and Yegageh Karimi (Unlicensed)
20. Futura Net, Inc. Los Angeles (Unlicensed)
21. Gustavo Armando Castaneda and Hilda & Gustavo Castaneda (Unlicensed)
22. Hitoshi Harima dba Isogawa Transportation (19429)
23. Iriaok Hidakel Suares and Derick Heredia (Unlicensed)
24. James Siegrist, Escondido (Unlicensed)
25. James William Inglis, Jr. dba James Car Service, Sunnyvale. (Unlicensed)
26. Jason Marquette dba Affordable Transportation Limo, Murrietta (Unlicensed)
27. Jerry Rompis dba Hertz Vehicle LLC. (Unlicensed)
28. Jesse Lee Freitas dba Los Padres Towne Kars, Petaluma (Unlicensed)
29. John C. Achziger dba Johnny's Town Car Service, Sacramento (TCP 22958)
30. Joseph Fusiler dba Silver Slipper Limo, Novato (Unlicensed)
31. Joshua K. Chang and Jae S. Chang (Unlicensed)
32. Koppelberg Guenter dba Wings Travel, Orange (Unlicensed)
33. Kunyong Kim and Lee H. Myung (23393)
34. L A Mex Tours, Inc., Maywood (PSC 19285)
35. Lance Hawkins dba Perl Enterprises (16920)
36. Leroy A. Clark dba Emerald Transportation (24600)
37. Lewis McKendree Nolden dba Skywater Transp or Ross Lee (Unlicensed)
38. Manuel S. Martinez/Nereo Perez-Mercado dba Pleasure on Wheels, West Covina (TCP16217)
39. Mercedes Rodezno and Juan Carlos Gamez dba Gold Star Tours, Santa Clara (TCP 24189)
40. Merit Medi-Trans, Chico (Unlicensed)
41. Miguel Angel Muritto dba Exclusively Yours Limousine Service, Pacifica (Unlicensed)
42. Ming Q. Wu (Unlicensed)
43. Muhammad Sajid Khan, dba VIP Limo Service, Gridley (TCP 20765)
44. Nieri, Nieri, and Sweet, dba California Sweet Rides, Placerville (TCP 22122)
45. Oscar Lopez and Javier Marquez (Unlicensed)
46. Phil Winesberry, Los Angeles & Oxnard (Unlicensed)
47. Premier Chauffered Limousine, Santa Barbara (TCP 18103-Denied)
48. Rafael Perez and Jose Bermal (Unlicensed)
49. RM Blue Line Inc. dba Blue Line Charter, San Diego (Unlicensed)
50. Royalty Chauffeur Services Inc. DBA Royalty Chauffeur, Van Nuys (T-22459)
51. San Francisco Reliable Rides Inc., San Bruno (TCP 22755)
52. Siamak D Davoodi (Unlicensed)
53. Sidney R. Kulberg and David Kim (25772)
54. Sing Yun LLC, Attention Hsien Chen, Rosemead (T# NONE)
55. Smrat Janibekyan and Lilit Adalian (Unlicensed)
56. Star Classic Limousine, Inc., Pico Rivera (TCP 24265-B)
57. Sun Tae Kim and Lee Won (Unlicensed)
58. Sung Y. Suh and Choi Sun (Unlicensed)
59. Syed Gali Jafri dba The Bay Limo, Milpitas (TCP 25972)
60. Tom Szarmach dba El Dorado Limousine, Placerville (TCP 23264)
61. Transportes Michoacan LLC, Fontana (TCP 26814)
62. US Party Bus, Sacramento (Unlicensed)
63. USASIA Casino Tours/Entertainment Inc., Burlingame (TCP 12159A)
64. Virginia Saucedo and Pedro Valencia (Unlicensed)
65. Whang Bok Baek and Yong Ja Baek (Unlicensed)
66. Zeeshan Irshad dba Cherry Limos, Redwood City (TCP 24426)
67. Young Cheal Kim (Unlicensed)
68. Nestor Zegarra Quintana and Francisco Mateo (Unlicensed)
69. Claudio Ramirez and Juana Rivera (Unlicensed)
70. Juiyun Tsai (Unlicensed)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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