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

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26, 2015 — 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 moving companies.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, 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:

• Brendon Arman Attias doing business as (DBA) South Coast Moving and Advantage Moving (Unlicensed) OCSC Case# 14HM08348: CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to file a misdemeanor complaint 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 (three counts).
  
  
• Rustam Kholov and Umed Salomov, a general partnership DBA San Francisco Moving, Belmont and Andrey Slivko DBA Vector Moving, San Diego (MTR 190802) SDSC Case # M094830: CPUC staff submitted a report requesting the San Diego District Attorney’s Office to file a misdemeanor complaint 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 LC 3700.5.

Administrative Citations:
Yolanda Edith Hernandez DBA San Jose Movers (MTR191154 denied) based in San Jose was fined $1,000 for the following violation:

1. Operating as a household goods carrier without a permit

Karl Knight an individual DBA A Guy and His Truck (MTR 191286) based in Murrieta was fined $2,000 for the following violations:

1. Operated as a household goods carrier without valid authority
2. Various MAX 4 violations

Eyal Avraham DBA Eagle Moving and Storage Inc. (MTR 190673) based in San Francisco was fined $1,000 for the following violation:

1. Failed to provide CPUC staff access to records.

Phone Disconnections:
As part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, the CPUC had telephone service shut off to two moving companies operating in California without a household goods permit. 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.

• Ralph Butler DBA Stress Free Moves and Packing, Sacramento (Unlicensed): This company advertised and offered household goods moving services on the Internet. The advertisements listed one phone number. Notwithstanding CPUC staff Cease and Desist letters and oral communication directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On December 4, 2014, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of telephone service to the valid number advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.
  
  
• Mark Anderson DBA Viking Piano Movers, San Rafael (Unlicensed): This company advertised and offered moving services on the Internet without a valid permit. Notwithstanding a CPUC staff Cease and Desist letter directing the company to immediately cease all unlawful advertisements and operations, the company continued to violate the law. On December 19, 2014, CPUC staff obtained a Finding of Probable Cause signed by a Marin County Superior Court judge. The Finding ordered disconnection of telephone service to the telephone number advertised and used by the company to violate criminal laws in the state of California.

Overcharges and Refunds:
CPUC staff assisted and/or directed moving companies to refund to consumers more than $9,200 for overcharges and other violations of the MAX 4.

Cease and Desist Notices:
Twenty-one 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.
           
Companies issued a Cease and Desist notice:

1. Karina E. Senteney DBA Dream Team Movers, Sacramento (Unlicensed)
2. The Aussie Group LLC, Los Angeles (MTR0190903). (Revoked)
3. Mark Reynold Anderson DBA Viking Piano Movers, San Rafael (Unlicensed)
4. Kyle Zondervan DBA Finish Line Moving, San Jose (Unlicensed)
5. Power Moves Services LLC, Prundale (Unlicensed)
6. Omer Properties LLC DBA Out of the Box Moving Solutions. Los Angeles (Revoked)
7. Daily Transportation Co. DBA Daily Transportation Co., Monterey Park, (MTR – 171159, Revoked)
8. Danny Burke DBA Father & Sons Moving Co., National City (Unlicensed)
9. Adolfo & Sons Moving, Palmdale (MTR 190817). (Revoked)
10. Zuni Trucking Inc., Lake Forest (MTR 191239)
11. Lopez Magdaleno Saucedo & Lopez Jocelyn Martinez DBA Mike’s Moving/Skyline Transport Service,
San Jose (MTR 190537)
12. Justo Blanket Wrap Delivery Service Inc., Santa Clara (Unlicensed)
13. Bay Area Piano Movers Inc., San Jose (Unlicensed)
14. University Student Movers, Boston, MA (Unlicensed)
15. David Clark DBA Best Moving Company, Corona (Unlicensed)
16. Green Move Inc., DBA Good Green Moving (Unlicensed)
17. Brandon Wilkinson DBA Safe Moving, Roseville (Unlicensed)
18. Moves Made Easy LLC, Roseville (MTR 190893)
19. Dave Smith Sacramento’s Best Moving Service, Sacramento (MTR 190571)
20. Greg’s Handyman and Moving Services, Ventura (Unlicensed)
21. CR Creative Services DBA CR Creative Services Los Angeles (None)

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

1. Garry Dallas Jordan DBA Garry’s Moving Service, Fair Oaks (MTR 191196)
2. Ilya Kudrin and Ruslan Vdovin DBA Market Street Movers, South San Francisco (MTR 191147)
3. Marco Osby DBA Affordable Movers, Chico (Unlicensed)
4. Campus Bellhops Inc. DBA Bellhops, Sacramento. (Unlicensed)

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

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

- CMSA Communicator