Charges Filed Against Tour Bus Firm; Safety Perils Cited

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn has filed criminal charges against the owner of a tour bus company, alleging that the firm operated buses with such safety hazards as bad brakes, defective steering and worn-out tires.

Naser Khorasani, owner of Pacific Tours & Charters, was charged Thursday with 195 violations of the state Vehicle Code, including 73 misdemeanors and 122 infractions, Deputy City Atty. Anita Marcks said.

“One of the buses had leaking brake fluid,” Hahn said in a written statement. “Another bus was found with defective steering and brakes. Not only was the parking brake inoperable, but the brake pads were worn out.”

California Highway Patrol inspectors ordered 22 Pacific Tour buses out of service because of safety problems discovered during three routine inspections during the last year, Marcks said.

Other violations found during CHP bus inspections included missing wheel lug nuts, a gas tank that was in danger of falling off and an emergency escape window that was wired shut, Marcks said.

A spokeswoman for the West Los Angeles-based firm said Thursday that no one was available to comment on the charges.

Khorasani, 32, of El Segundo, is to be arraigned Feb. 14 in West Los Angeles Municipal Court. If convicted, he faces a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each misdemeanor and fines ranging from $35 to $250.