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 LIMOUSINES,
SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES
SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2012 - 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 fourth 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
Fifteen companies were cited and fined a total of $41,000 for one or more of these violations:
1. Advertised a revoked permit number
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. General Order 157-D violation (failed to maintain a current equipment list, no sub-carrier agreement, or incomplete waybills)
6. Operated without a valid authority (suspended or unlicensed)
7. Operated vehicles that are not insured at the required minimum level of public liability and property damage insurance
Companies cited:
1. Abraham's Lincoln Limousine Inc., North Hollywood, (TCP 20401)
2. Tom A. Szarmach Placerville (TCP 23264)
3. Arias Transportation, LLC. Sacramento (TCP 27089)
4. J&I Transportation, LLC, Riverside (TCP/PSC 16363)
5. Benito Vasquez, Los Angeles (TCP 22636)
6. Robert Amatrone Concord (TCP 19912)
7. Martin Cortes and Francisco Ornelias Altadena (TCP 26128)
8. Jet Car Limo, Inc., Burlingame (TCP 26370)
9. Appellation Tours, Inc., Sonoma (TCP 14726)
10. Cathleen and William Cramer, Sacramento (TCP 20857)
11. Warner Stout and Sunshine Carriers LLC, Sacramento (TCP 27311)
12. Juan Carlos Gamez and Mercedes Rodezno, Morgan Hill. (TCP 24189)
13. Andrea M. Plackett & Justine S. Plackett, Santa Barbara (TCP 16049)
14. Odmilson Pereira Costa, South San Francisco (TCP 17910)
15. King Limousine Service Inc., Anaheim (TCP 20789)
Criminal Filings
Following is a status update on a criminal case previously filed:
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). On March 3, 2011, the defense attorney indicated Fadi Moussaoui is willing to reimburse all the victims and plea no contest if his wife's involvement in the matter is dismissed. Update: Moussaoui appeared in court for his progress report on December 8, 2011. Moussaoui had questions about the amount being claimed by some of his victims and provided evidence to the District Attorney as to what he believes is the correct restitution amount. Moussaoui's sentencing order was to pay all victims the stipulated amounts before January 31, 2012, as his 45 days in jail and 25 days of community labor imposed shall be permanently stayed. Moussaoui is making efforts to meet this deadline.
Enforcement Actions at Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA):
Number of citations issued by LAWA police (unlicensed operations only) |
41 |
Number of vehicles impounded |
32 |
Official Notice
Ten companies were issued an Official Notice for one or more of these violations:
1. Advertised and operated without authority (prior to issuance, expired, or suspended)
2. Conducted operations at an airport without holding an airport permit
3. Engaged drivers without workers' compensation insurance on file and in effect
4. Failed to include TCP authority number in advertisements
5. Failed to update equipment list
6. Incomplete or no waybills
7. Knowingly and intentionally filed a false report that understates revenues and fees
Companies receiving an Official Notice:
1. A2B Transportation Company Inc., Van Nuys (TCP 27338)
2. Henry Cabrera and Wilson Reniery Soriano Sacramento (TCP 24943)
3. Blue Sky Shuttle LLC, Roseville (TCP 23820)
4. Morris Birts, West Sacramento (TCP 19462)
5. James Richard Parker and Daniel Scott Jones, Sacramento (TCP 24944)
6. Escapade Transportation LLC, San Diego (TCP 26678)
7. Billionaire Logistic Access Management LLC Garden Grove (TCP 24011)
8. Youngblood and Osborne dba Adventure Limousine Service, Roseville (TCP 22648)
9. Ali Pourtakin dba Onyx Transportation, San Francisco (TCP 18459)
10. Youngblood and Osborne dba Adventure Limousine Service, Roseville (TCP 22648)
Cease and Desist Notices
Thirty-six companies were issued a cease and desist notice for the violation of operating and/or advertising without a valid charter-party authority (unlicensed, suspended, revoked, denied, or expired).
Companies issued a cease and desist notice:
1. Leyd Anorve dba Starlight Limousine Svc, Corona (Unlicensed)
2. Tom Szarmach dba El Dorado Limousine, Placerville (TCP 23264)
3. Five Star Quality Care, San Bernardino (Unlicensed)
4. Hodari Subabu. DBA LA Hoodlife/Hiphop Transportation, Lancaster (Unlicensed)
5. Jose Arturo Marquez, San Diego (Unlicensed)
6. Joe Santalla dba Shuttle Around Tahoe and Shuttle It, South Lake Tahoe (Unlicensed)
7. Sacramento Charter Bus, Chatsworth (Unlicensed)
8. Payma Management System LLC, San Diego (TCP 15330)
9. Dominic Cabrera dba American Passenger Services, San Mateo (PSG 28250)
10. Carlos Camargo dba Charly's Limousine Service, Fontana (Unlicensed)
11. Jose B Acosta dba Comfort Ride, San Diego (TCP 23135)
12. Robert Imber dba PS Modern Tours, Palm Springs (Unlicensed)
13. Monarch Limousine Inc. dba Kosmo Limousine, South San Francisco (TCP 21317)
14. Liberty Charter Inc., Midway City (TCP 17731)
15. Five Star Airport Limo and Shuttle LLC, San Diego (TCP 12972)
16. Saman Abu Manneh, Wildomar (TCP 24367)
17. Lynn Breedlove dba Homobiles, San Francisco (unlicensed)
18. Yat Hung Lee and Xiang Wang dba E Z Charter, San Francisco (TCP 11115)
19. Khaled Hamoui dba Fidelity Limo, San Francisco (TCP 19951)
20. Ron Durham dba My First Choice Limousine, Campbell (unlicensed)
21. At Your Service Inc., Elk Grove (TCP 16587)
22. Daniel Miszti dba Galaxy Limousine, Antelope (TCP 19391)
23. Interstate Limousine, LLC, Roseville (TCP 23426)
24. Elegance Limousine and Transportation, Inc., Wilton (TCP 18112)
25. California Limousine Service, Gold River (TCP 5068)
26. Hyter Development Inc. Newport Beach (Unlicensed)
27. San Diego Luxury Transportation, Inc., San Diego (TCP 19933)
28. Jay and Carol Delaney dba Wine Country Experience, Occidental (Unlicensed)
29. Denise Andersen dba Da Vine Wine Tours, Windsor (unlicensed)
30. Yat Hung Lee and Xiang Wang dba E Z Charter, San Francisco (TCP 11115)
31. Vladimir Babayan dba Luxury Ride, Daly City (TCP 19951)
32. Sonya Barna and Frank Tribble dba My First Choice Limousine, Campbell (unlicensed)
33. Simon Ka Wai Lau dba Lau's Transportation, Benicia (unlicensed)
34. Marcos P. Ramirez, Jr. dba VIP Sedan Services, Corona (TCP 27026)
35. Juan Parra dba Tour2NV, St. Helena (unlicensed)
36. Gordon Larum dba Eye On Wine, St. Helena (unlicensed)
For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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