City Sues Operators of Allegedly Illegal Taxis

The city attorney’s office announced Thursday the filing of 10 lawsuits against individuals who allegedly operate illegal taxis.

There are about 1,500 illegal taxis in the city and about 500 “poachers,” taxi drivers who are licensed in neighboring cities but accept rides in Los Angeles, according to a spokesman for the city attorney.

The illegal services are estimated to take $40 million worth of business from other taxi companies each year.

Those being charged include: Garnik Avanesyan, 51, of Glendale; Grigor Kadarian, 40, of Glendale; Eduard Abgaryan, 56, of North Hollywood; Andrew Kelley Irving, 47, of Sherman Oaks, and Los Angeles residents Booker Toney Jefferson, 61, Luis Felipe Acosta, 34, Hector I. Balbuena Marin, 41, Juan Robles, 31, Eduardo Franco, 45, and Juan Zavaleta, 47.