CPUC INVESTIGATIONS RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FINES IMPOSED ON VARIOUS LIMOUSINES, SHUTTLES, AND BUS COMPANIES

California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE 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, April 28, 2008 - During the first quarter of 2008, the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD), Transportation Enforcement Section, 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 Order 157-D.

Administrative Citation

Twenty one companies were cited and fined (totaling $25,000) for violations ranging from:

1. Advertised without a valid authority

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

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

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

5. Failed to enroll drivers in DMV Pull Notice program

6. No airport permit

7. Operated outside scope of authority

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

9. Operated without a valid authority (suspension, revocation, expiration, or unlicensed)

Companies cited are:

1. Alexander V. Norriss dba Sun Diego City and Airport Transportation, San Diego (TCP-14828)

2. Armando Soto, AJS Transportation, Sylmar (TCP 17857)

3. Arthur Kesablian dba One Dream Limousine Service, Sun Valley (TCP-9787)

4. Balbir Singh dba Bali Limousine and Shuttle Service, Santa Clara (TCP 14041)

5. Brooks Transportation, West Hills (TCP 21705)

6. Carlos E. Rodriguez dba Destiny Limo Service, Stockton (TCP-3830)

7. Carlos Garcia dba A&C Charters, Rancho Palos Verdes (TCP 20695)

8. Cesar Garibaldi dba All Points Limousine, Millbrae (TCP 18123)

9. Fantasy Limousine, Inc (TCP 21362)

10. James Valenzuela & Marquina Mercedez dba Class & Comfort Limousine Svc., Fresno (TCP-15598).

11. Kathryn Tehrani dba Ark Limousine, Culver City (TCP18013)

12. Kurt A. Steiner dba Enchanting Limousine, Hemet (TCP-19975)

13. Lee Jones and Margaret Carpenter dba Tayelor Made Transportation, Chico (TCP-21037)

14. Lucy Slootsky dba A Capitol Limo & Sedan Services, San Francisco (TCP-16814)

15. Mary Ghassan Khoury dba A 24/7 Black Limo Service, San Mateo (TCP 21755)

16. Michael Forcier dba San Diego Limo Buses, San Diego (PSC-6682)

17. Michelle Steele and Alex Barreto dba Classy Limousine, San Bruno (TCP-20968)

18. P & L Charters, Inc., Clovis (TCP-18756)

19. Raul Lumbi dba Prestige Executive Transportation, San Francisco (TCP 10809)

20. Steve S. Won dba Allstar Limo, Antioch (TCP-22622)

21. Susan C. Coleman dba AirSuburban, Oakland (TCP 17381)

Criminal Filing

1. Danyelle Bayvette Butler dba Dandy Lion Transit. As a result of a CPSD investigation, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office charged this company with 11 counts of operating without CPUC authority and failure to procure evidence of public liability insurance coverage (Complaint # SCO7CA02484.) Arraignment held on June 19, 2007, in which Butler was released on her on recognizance and ordered not to operate until in full compliance with all rules and regulations. The L.A. City Attorney filed a motion to revoke bail based on evidence obtained by CPSD that Butler operated in violation of her probation. Motion was denied. Trial is set for October 17, 2007. Jury trial was held on December 12, 2007, for seven days. Butler was represented by Public Defender but she fired her attorney during trial. Both sides presented witnesses. Jury deliberated and found defendant guilty on eight counts of CPUC violations and one count of CHP violation. Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, ordered to pay $1,000 fine or an additional 30 days jail time in lieu of fine payment, placed on 36 months summary probation, ordered not to operate without a CPUC permit, and to divest ownership of all commercial vehicles in her possession. Update: Butler filed an appeal on January 22, 2008. Butler appeared in court on February 20, 2008 to report on her compliance to a court order regarding divestment of ownership of her commercial vehicles. Butler provided documents that showed sale of vehicles to herself and her mother. City Attorney objected. Judge ordered the matter continue to March 20, 2008.

2. Four Winds, Inc., dba Four Winds Day Camp, David Orchard, President, Inglewood. CPSD submitted a report requesting the L.A. City Attorney's office to file a misdemeanor complaint for additional violations that occurred within the jurisdiction of the L.A. City
Attorney's office. In complaint # 7CA02650, defendants were charged with nine counts of operating after revocation of its permit and one count of engaging employees without procuring workers' compensation insurance coverage. Arraignment date set for November 29, 2007. Defense counsel's request for continuance to January 15, 2008 was granted. Update: On January 29, 2008, the defendant appeared in Los Angeles arraignment court and pled no contest to four counts of PU Code section 5379 and one count of PU Code section 5378.1. Defendant was fined $3,000 plus penalty assessments, bringing the total to over $9,000; $1,000 investigative costs to the CPUC, 300 hours community service and 36 months summary probation. Defendant also paid $13,366 in delinquent CPUCTRA taxes owed for operations during the last 3 years without CPUC authority.

3. Four Winds, Inc., dba Four Winds Day Camp, David Orchard, President, Inglewood. CPSD submitted a report requesting the Burbank City Attorney's office to file a misdemeanor complaint. In complaint # 7BR04050, defendants were charged with three counts of operating after revocation of its permit, and one count of engaging employees without procuring workers' compensation insurance coverage. Pre-trial was rescheduled to January 29, 2008. Update - Defendant also appeared in Burbank court on January 29, 2008. Sentencing was to be concurrent with L.A. City Attorney's office complaint # 7CA02650, since both are located in L.A. County.

4. Mark John Arata dba Diamond Limousine, Newbury Park. CPSD submitted a report requesting the LA City Attorney's office to file a misdemeanor complaint. In complaint #SCO7CA02658, defendant was charged with 42 counts of operating without authority and one count of failure to obey CPUC rules. Arraignment set for January 16, 2008. Update: A bench warrant was issued on January 19, 2008, as defendant failed to show.

Official Notice

Ten companies were issued Official Notice for one or more of these violations:

1. Operating and/or advertising without authority

2. Failing to file evidence of insurance or obtain the required minimum level of public liability insurance

3. Failing to enroll driver in DMV Pull Notice program

4. Failing to enroll driver in a mandatory drug testing program

5. Failure to have an airport permit

6. Driver did not possess the proper California Drivers License to drive larger size for-hire vehicle

7. Failure to maintain adequate records as required by GO 157

8. Failure to have workers compensation on file

Companies cited are:

1. Aaron Kwan dba Pride Limousine & Sedan, San Francisco (TCP 17300)

2. Anthony Dagul dba A and M Limousine, Palm Springs (TCP 19113)

3. Francisco Aguayo dba Solace Transportation, Mountain View (PSG 21063)

4. Kay Kassab dba City Express, Newark (PSG-16562)

5. Mark Hicks dba Captain Jack's Santa Barbara Tours LLC, Santa Barbara (TCP 22256)

6. Rene Mendoza Jr. dba Runway Sedan Svc., Los Angeles (TCP 17670)

7. Rigoberto Torres, Los Angeles

8. Stephen Jones dba. Bulter Delivery Services, LLC., Lafayette (TCP 21298)

9. Thouqan Issa Makableh dba Travel Limousine & Sedan Services, San Bruno (TCP 10157)

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

Cease and Desist Notice

Twenty five cease and desist notices were issued to the companies listed below for operating and advertising as a passenger without a valid permit:

1. Aldo Ortegon dba So Cal Limo Bus, San Diego (TCP-17395)

2. Carlos F. Garcia dba Far West Charters, San Pedro (TCP 6956-Denied)

3. Carlos Garcia dba A & C Charters, Lomita (PSG 1933-Suspended)

4. Catalina Island Conservancy, Avalon (Unlicensed)

5. David Muller dba OC Cruiser, Anaheim (TCP-21097)

6. Dmitri Beljaev and Hollywood Stars Transportation Service LLC, Studio City (TCP 24144)

7. Edrick Laronne Burt, Long Beach (Unlicensed)

8. Ellen Van Huizun dba San Diego Charter, Inc., San Diego

9. First Student Inc., Gardena (TCP 913-expired)

10. Hong Straw dba San Diego Luxury Transportation, San Diego (TCP 19933)

11. Ixcaret Limousine Service, Winnetka (Unlicensed)

12. Jamil J. Moamar dba Kings Limousine Service, Pacifica (TCP 22175)

13. Jaye Mark Uribe dba Ace Limousine Service, Monterey Park (Unlicensed)

14. Jeep Eco Tours, Avalon (Unlicensed)

15. King Limousine, Mission Viejo (TCP-20789)

16. MGM Limousine LLC (Andreas Andreasyan), Roseville (TCP-22788-Denied)

17. Mike Guederian dba MGM Limousine, Antelope (TCP-20825)

18. Mjinaaz Zafar dba New Destinations Transportation LLC, Upland (TCP-19877)

19. Pacific Shores Enterprises, Santa Ana (TCP 1`7491)

20. Preferred Livery Corp., Rancho Cucamonga (TCP 14180)

21. Ronald Dubon, San Jose (Unlicensed)

22. Safari Bus, Avalon, CA (Unlicensed)

23. Tishab Sanders dba E P Charters, Los Angeles (Unlicensed)

24. Ulises Ramirez dba Imperial Valley Tours, El Centro (TCP 16851)

25. Wildlands Express, Avalon (Unlicensed)

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

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