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 LIMOUSINES, SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES

SAN FRANCISCO, October 11, 2007 - During the third quarter of 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Consumer Protection and Safety Division, Transportation Enforcement Section, took the following enforcement actions against limousine, bus, and shuttle companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code, and PUC rules and regulations including General Order 157-D.

Administrative Citation

Twenty-one companies were cited and fined (totaling $43,250) for violations ranging from:

1. Advertised without a valid authority.

2. Engaged employees without procuring evidence of workers' compensation insurance

3. Engaged unlicensed sub carriers.

4. Failed to comply with airport rules and regulations

5. Failed to enroll drivers in a mandatory Drug and Alcohol program

6. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program

7. Failed to comply with General Order 157 rules (equipment list, waybills, out of class drivers)

8. Operated with no evidence of public liability insurance (PLPD) in effect and on file

9. Operated with no valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, or unlicensed)

10. Under-reported PUCTRA fees.

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Companies cited are:

1. ABC Tours and Transportation, Los Angeles (TCP-13792-B).

2. Amjad Hammoudeh and Jafar Hadid dba Silver Line Airporter, Hayward (PSC- 13601).

3. Black Car Network Inc., San Francisco (TCP-16802-A).

4. Coachman Limited Corp., dba At Your Service Transp. Monterey Limousine, Marina (TCP 15366).

5. Dean Tolzman dba Platinum Limousine and Sedan, Long Beach (TCP-17630).

6. Ellen Van Huizum dba San Diego Charter, Inc., San Diego (PSG 18347)

7. Express Enterprise, Los Angeles (TCP 12221) (PSG 1783).

8. Frances Vallejo dba Star One Limousine, Kerman (TCP-21303-P).

9. Francisco Hernandez dba Lucky Tours and Charters, South Gate (TCP 14470-B).

10. Hasan Korkmaz dba Arti Limousine, LLC, San Diego (PSC-21082).

11. Isam A. Hammoudeh dba A and J Airporter, American Canyon (TCP-18188-P).

12. Jasvir Singh dba Classic Airport Shuttle, Santa Clara (PSC, TCP-16168).

13. Jesus & Lorena Beltran dba Lorena's Limousine, Oxnard (TCP-22340-Pend).

14. Jin Sheng Zheng dba XY Shuttle Travel Service, Inc., San Francisco (TCP 21853)

15. Kurt Bachman dba My Chauffeur, Palm Springs (TCP-22341).

16. Michael Joseph Ojeda dba Michael's Limousine, Fresno (TCP-14704-P).

17. Robert & Gina Van der Geugten dba Infinity Charter, Panorama City (TCP-12170).

18. Sayabanha Phanekham dba LD Sedan Service, San Jose (TCP 15161-P).

19. Triple Diamond Limousine, Inc., Santa Rosa (TCP 20767-P).

20. Vidal Jara dba V & H Limousine Service, El Centro (PSG-None)

21. Zeus Transportation LLC, Santa Barbara (TCP 19798-B).

Criminal Filing

PUC staff investigations of unlicensed operations resulted in five passenger carriers being charged criminally for violating the PUC's rules and regulations. PUC staff submitted its report to the appropriate City Attorney's office requesting a criminal complaint be filed against these five unlicensed companies:

1. Danyelle Bayvette Butler. As a result of CPSD investigation, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office charged carrier with 11 counts of operating without PUC authority, and failure to procure evidence of public liability insurance coverage (Complaint # SCO7CA02484.) Update - At arraignment held on June 19, 2007, Ms. Butler was released on her on recognizance and ordered not to operate until in fill compliance with all rules and regulations. CPSD obtained evidence that Butler operated in violation of her probation. LA City Attorney filed motion to revoke bail. Motion was denied. Trial is set for October 17, 2007.

2. Michael Kellerman dba Hollywood Fantasy Tours (TCP 21120-denied) Complaint # 6CA00254. As a result of CPSD investigation and the misdemeanor complaint (#6CA00254) filed by the Los Angeles City Attorney's office in August of 2006, carrier pled guilty to two counts of operating/advertising without a valid CPUC permit. Carrier was ordered to obtain a permit and pay investigative cost. Carrier was also placed on 36 months probation. Update - In July 2007, CPSD submitted evidence that Kellerman violated probation by continuing to operate without a permit. Los Angeles City Attorney's office filed a motion to reopen the complaint. Arraignment held on September 27, 2007. Kellerman pled no contest to 4 counts of the PUC code violations (5371-2), 5414.5, 5385). He was sentenced to 36 months summary probation, 45 days jail time or 100 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay CPUC PUCTRA fees for 2006 and 2007 (3 quarters), $3,000 in PUC investigative cost, and $3240 in court fines.

3. Michael Kellerman dba Hollywood Fantasy Tours (TCP 21120-denied). Complaint # 7CA00157. In addition to probation violation, Los Angeles City Attorney's Office also filed a misdemeanor against carrier for operating without a valid CPUC permit, advertising without a valid permit and using an invalid PUC number. Arraignment held on September 27, 2007. Kellerman pled no contest to two counts of probation violation and was fined $1,440. 

4. Thomas Wetzel dba Exotic Limousine (Irvine), and Robert Thomas Kirk, driver (PSG 21215) LAX Police issued a citation and impounded carrier's vehicle for operating at the airport without a PUC permit. In Complaint # 7WA00211, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office charge defendant with one count of operating without a permit. Arraignment hearing was held on September 17, 2007, at the West Los Angeles Superior Court. Pre-trial is scheduled for October 16, 2007.

Official Notice

Three companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations: operating and/or advertising without authority, no airport permit, failing to maintain records, General Order 157 (waybill documentation). Companies cited are:

1. One Limo's Inc., Tracy (TCP 21760-pending)

2. Ronald Dubon, San Jose (TCP-22390-pending)

3. US Limo/J & L A Limousine, Santa Ana (TCP-20414)

Cease and Desist Notice

Twenty-nine cease and desist notices were issued to the passenger carriers for operating and advertising without a valid permit. These companies are:

1. Andres Lara dba Ace Tours, Chula Vista (TCP-19884)

2. Austin Twohig and Dave Solomon dba The Santa Cruz Experience, Santa Cruz (Unlicensed). Jon Harris, Sacramento (Unlicensed)

3. Brooks Transportation, Pacoima (Unlicensed).

4. Coastal Breeze Limousine LLC, Citrus Heights (TCP 20641-P)

5. Evan Oakes, dba Ag Venture Tours & Consulting, Inc., Monterey (Unlicensed)

6. George Horvath, Lincoln (Unlicensed).

7. Gerald Aucoin dba Celebrity Haunted Discount Tours, LLC, North Hills (TCP-20337).

8. Ginger Giordano dba Going Grape, Temecula (PSG None)

9. GLS Limousine & Super Sedan Ride, No. Hollywood (PSG 19700)

10. Henry F. Corlett dba British Bus Company, LLC, Spring Valley (TCP 22289-Pending).

11. Jim Taylor dba Bus Mans Tours, Paradise (Unlicensed).

12. John Heyden dba Heyden Limousine Service, Palm Springs (TCP 6659)

13. Jose Correa dba LA Mex Tours, Inc., Maywood (PSG 19283)

14. Khosro Asgari dba A Classy Ride Limousine Service, Inc., Newport Beach (PSG 17817)

15. Kurt Bachman dba My Chauffeur, Palm Springs (TCP 22341 Pending). 

16. Lisbeth Barrientos dba Cherry Limousine, Five Star Limousine, and Star Limo 2000, Redwood City (TCP 20021 revoked)

17. Lisbeth Barrientos dba Cherry Limousines, Redwood City (TCP 20021)

18. Magic Tours & Charters, Inc., Van Nuys (PSG 20179)

19. Michael Kellerman dba Hollywood Fantasy Tours, Hollywood (TCP 21120-denied).

20. Michael Martin dba Impressions Limousine, Red Bluff (TCP 11704)

21. Michelle Swaving dba Concierge Connection, Windsor (Unlicensed)

22. Mike Guerdian dba MGM Limousine, Antelope (TCP 20825-P)

23. Mohamed Ibrahim dba A Express Airport Limousine, Santa Clara (TCP 19667 revoked)

24. Richard Bowen dba CCT, LLC, Placentia (PSG 21602)

25. San Diego Limo Bus, Inc. San Diego (TCP 15975-Revoked).

26. Sufian Barakat dba. Berkeley Limousine and Sedan Service, Berkeley (TCP 21026-P)

27. The Limousine Corporation, Friant (Unlicensed).

28. Tuck Yong dba Golden Bay Limo, San Francisco (TCP -13042)

29. Xavier Gustoavo Rendon dba GVS Valet Parking & Limo Svc, Fountain Valley (TCP None)

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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