FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: PUC Press Office, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC ACTS TO STOP ILLEGAL MOVING COMPANY:
PACIFIC COAST MOVING AND STORAGE, INC.

SAN FRANCISCO, December 19, 2003 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), in its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal moving companies, on Oct. 30, 2003, filed a Complaint For Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and Action For Recovery Of Civil Penalties, against Warner Lee Fischer, Philip Dresser, Jr., and Pacific Coast Moving and Storage, Inc.

Pacific Coast Moving and Storage, based in Granada Hills, CA, has been operating a moving business without a valid PUC license. Pacific Coast's first application for a household goods permit was denied by the PUC on Sept. 4, 2002, for failure to file evidence of public liability, cargo and workers' compensation insurance coverage. Pacific Coast re-applied for a permit on April l 9, 2003, which was subsequently denied July 14, 2003, for failure to file evidence of workers' compensation insurance.

The PUC Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD) received several consumer complaints alleging overcharges, and damages to personal belongings. In all of these cases, the carrier charged two to three times more than the original written estimate or verbal quote that was given to the shippers. Pacific Coast continued to advertise and perform moving services after CPSD staff directives to cease and desist all operations. The Temporary Restraining Order was granted on Nov. 5, 2003. A hearing was held on Nov. 26, 2003, in the Los Angeles Superior Court, in which the PUC was granted the Preliminary Injunction.

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

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