CPUC Investigations Result in Enforcement Actions and Fines Imposed
on Various Moving Companies

SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2015—The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in its ongoing commitment to consumer protection, took a number of actions in the second quarter of 2015 to protect consumers from illegally operating moving companies. CPUC staff took the following enforcement actions against moving companies for violations of the Public Utilities Code and CPUC rules and regulations, including Maximum Rate Tariff 4 (MAX 4), which contains maximum rates that carriers must observe as well as rules and regulations governing intrastate moves:

Criminal Filings

• Markis Frederick Stone Jr., an individual doing business as (DBA) Bubbas Moving Company, et al., San Diego (MTR 190605; Case # M094878): CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the San Diego district attorney's office to file a misdemeanor complaint against this company for operating and advertising while under suspension/revocation and without workers’ compensation insurance coverage. On April 15, 2015, the San Diego County district attorney’s office charged defendant with violations of Labor Code 3700.5 and Public Utilities Code Sections 5133 and 5314.5. The defendant did not show for the hearing held on June 15, 2015. The district attorney will file for an arrest warrant.

Updates

• Brendon Arman Attias DBA South Coast Moving and Advantage Moving (Unlicensed; Case# 14HM08348): CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the Orange County district attorney’s office to file a misdemeanor complaint against this company for operating without CPUC authority and failure to maintain in effect public liability/property damage, cargo and workers’ compensation insurance. On October 16, 2014, the Orange County district attorney’s office filed in Harbor Newport Superior Court. The company was charged with violation of Public Utilities Code Section 5133 (3 counts). Pretrial was set for July 30, 2015.

• Rustam Kholov and Umed Salomov, a general partnership DBA San Francisco Moving, Belmont and Andrey Slivko DBA Vector Moving, San Diego (MTR 190802; Case# M094830): CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the San Diego district attorney’s office filed a misdemeanor complaint against this company for operating without workers’ compensation insurance coverage. On December 30, 2014, the San Diego County district attorney’s office charged defendants with a count of Labor Code 3700.5. The case was set for pretrial on July 6, 2015.

Administrative Citations
David D. Troup DBA Dynasty Movers, Anaheim (MTR 149891) was fined $2,500 for the following violations:

1. Operated as a household goods carrier during a period of suspension and revocation,
2. Failed to include a Not to Exceed Price on all freight bills and
3. Failed to provide and properly complete the Important Notice About Your Move booklet.

The company was also fined $1,000 for failure to provide access to records.

Broadway Moving and Storage Inc., Stockton (MTR 189596) was fined $15,000 for the following violations:

1. Utilized unlicensed subhaulers
2. Failed to utilize subhauler agreements
3. Committed various Maximum Rate Tariff 4 violations
4. Failed to adequately pay TRF fees
5. Failed to have a qualifier on staff and
6. Failed to display CAL T number.

Champions Movers Inc., San Jose (MTR 190342) was fined $3,000 for the following violations:

1. Failed to include a Not To Exceed Price on agreementsand
2. Committed various Maximum Rate Tariff 4 violations

Gordon Transportation Services Inc., Irvine (MTR 190855) was fined $2,000 for the following violations:

1. Failed to provide access to records and
2. Failed to comply with overcharge directive.

Phone Disconnections
As part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to moving companies operating in California without household goods permits. These companies continued to advertise and hold themselves out to engage in the business of transporting used household goods, notwithstanding CPUC staff directives to immediately cease and desist unlawful acts and to obtain a household goods permit.

• Mark Cook DBA San Jose Movers, Bay Area Movers and All Pro Moving, San Jose (unlicensed): This company advertised household goods moving services on the Internet without obtaining the appropriate permit. Notwithstanding a CPUC staff cease and desist notice directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On March 26, 2015, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of the telephone service to the numbers advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.

• Kenneth A Marley, DBA San Diego Small Moves, San Francisco Small Moves, San Francisco (unlicensed): This company advertised and offered moving services on the Internet and listed two phone numbers. Notwithstanding a CPUC staff cease and desist letter directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements, the company continued to violate the law as evidenced by advertisements on the Internet. On April 1, 2015, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a San Francisco County Superior Court Judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of telephone service to the numbers advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.

• Steven Hayes DBA S&C Movers, Chico (unlicensed): This company advertised household goods moving services on the Internet without obtaining the appropriate permit. Notwithstanding a CPUC staff cease and desist notice directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On May 20, 2015, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Butte County Superior Court Judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of the telephone service to the numbers advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.

• Ali Ochoa DBA Dream Team Movers, Sacramento (Unlicensed; HHG-2208): This company advertised household goods moving services on the Internet without obtaining the appropriate permit. Notwithstanding a CPUC staff cease and desist notice directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On May 27, 2015, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of the telephone service to the numbers advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.

• Ararat Moving LLC, Daly City (unlicensed; HHG-2280): This company advertised and offered household good services on the Internet. CPUC staff served the company with cease and desist letters directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations. However, the company continued to violate the law. On May 29, 2015, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a San Mateo County Superior Court Judge. The Finding ordered the disconnection of telephone services to the number advertised and used by the company to violate the Public Utilities Code. The advertised telephone number was disconnected on June 15, 2015.

Overcharges and Refunds
CPUC staff assisted and/or directed moving companies to refund consumers more than $4,000 for overcharges and other violations of the Maximum Rate Tariff 4.

Cease and Desist Notice
Twelve companies were issued a cease and desist notice for operating and advertising without a valid permit (unlicensed, revoked or denied). Additionally, in response to a consumer complaint, more than 100 notices were sent to suspected illegal household goods carriers in the San Diego area. The following companies were issued a cease and desist notice:

1. Kelly Anhdao Ngo DBA Kelly’s Elite Moving Co., Elk Grove (MTR 191076)
2. Rapid Moving Inc., Los Angeles (MTR 191019)
3. Ritu Narayan DBA Liftee, San Carlos (Unlicensed)
4. Anthony Smith DBA Peace of Mind Moving Assistance, Carmichael (Unlicensed)
5. Patrick Rickey DBA Rickey’s Gold Country Moving, Grass Valley (Unlicensed)
6. John Rivera DBA AAA Moving, Beaumont (Unlicensed)
7. Gregory Maurice Pinto DBA Greg’s Moving & Delivery, Murrieta (MTR 189651)
8. Ali Avanti DBA Let’s Get Moving and Storage, Inglewood (Unlicensed)
9. Alfred Griffin DBA Griffin Moving Delivery, Griffin12 Moving Company, GMD, Sacramento (Unlicensed)
10. Chaotung Chan DBA Best Moving, Rosemead (Unlicensed)
11. Move In Move Out DBA Sunrise Cleaning Service, Long Beach (Unlicensed)
12. Shleppers Moving & Storage, North Hollywood (Unlicensed)

Official Notice   
The following companies were issued an official notice for advertising and operating without a permit.

1. Nola Ramos DBA Top 10 Moving, San Mateo (MTR 191120)
2. Adolfo & Sons Moving, Palmdale (MTR 0190817)
3. Andrew Sanchez DBA D&L Movers Santa Clara (MTR 191303)
4. Marcus Chubbs DBA A New Beginning Monterey LLC, Seaside (MTR191245)
5. Man With A Truck Moving Inc., Los Angeles (MTR190988)

CPUC Investigations Result in Enforcement Actions and Fines Imposed on Various Moving Companies

- CMSA Communicator