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Former safety manager admits to falsifying applications for operating authority

New carriers set up to hide poor safety record

Posted August 23, 2017

A former safety manager of a passenger carrier admitted to her role in a chameleon carrier scheme.

She acknowledged that she made false statements on forms required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to obtain operating authority. In March 2016, she was indicted – along with 14 other individuals – for her role in the ruse. On August 15, 2017, she pled guilty to conspiracy charges in U.S. District Court, Harrisburg, PA.

The safety manager and other defendants supposedly formed, controlled, managed, and operated numerous suspect bus companies. According to the indictment, the defendants routinely falsified FMCSA Motor Carrier Identification Reports and applications for FMCSA operating authority.

In an attempt to conceal who operated the companies and poor safety records, the conspirators incorporated new companies in Pennsylvania. They misrepresented where the companies where headquartered, maintained, and garaged. They indicated they were in Pennsylvania when they actually operated in New York City.

By falsely representing their company’s location, the defendants were able to obtain operating authority, licenses, stickers, and other authority, indicating that the buses met federal and state safety standards. They also received significantly lower insurance costs based on the Pennsylvania location.

In addition, the defendants allegedly falsified FMCSA recordkeeping to impede agency inspections and reviews. The fraudulent companies falsified records relating to:

  • Driver safety and training programs,
  • Accident registers,
  • Hours of service,
  • Vehicle maintenance, and
  • DOT drug and alcohol testing programs.

The defendants were also accused of false statements in regard to previous company affiliations and associations.


FMCSA Compliance ManualJ. J. Keller's FMCSA Compliance Manual provides comprehensive information for anyone managing or operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs)

 

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