FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ILLEGAL MOVING COMPANY MOST RELIABLE MOVING SERVICES/GOODFELLAS MOVING

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 30, 2004 - The California Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Consumer Protection and Safety Division today announced that a staff investigation found that Lisa Ann Winters, owner and president of Most Reliable Moving Services, Inc., doing business as Goodfellas Moving, continued to perform moving services after PUC revocation of its household goods permit on Dec. 4, 2003.

The PUC staff investigation also uncovered violations of PUC consumer protection rules that movers are required to follow. In mid-August 2004, the PUC submitted the results of its investigation to the Attorney General's Office and requested that a criminal complaint be filed against Winters and the corporation.

On Oct. 26, 2004, the Attorney General's Office filed a misdemeanor complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.  Winters was charged with 19 counts of Public Utilities Code and two counts of Penal Code violations, including: extortion (2 counts); operated a moving company without a permit (4 counts); failed to file evidence of public liability, cargo and workers' compensation insurance (12 counts); and failed to acknowledge receipt of written claim (3 counts).

Winters was scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 16, 2004, but did not make an appearance. A bench warrant for her arrest was issued and bail was set for $25,000. 

The Public Utilities Code makes it a crime to engage or attempt to engage in transporting used household goods without a valid PUC license. The PUC suggests that consumers check to see whether a moving company is licensed with the Commission before contracting with the company by calling the Commission at 1-800-877-8867. If consumers have a complaint about a move that they cannot resolve with the mover, call the Commission at 1-800-366-4782 to file a complaint. For more information on the PUC, please visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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