Van Nuys Moving Company Hit With Charges

By Michael Krikorian

July 17, 2003 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Criminal charges have been filed against the owner of an unlicensed Van Nuys-based moving company, the California Public Utilities Commission has announced.

Ronen Perez, owner and president of Ford Moving and Storage was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 1 in Los Angeles Superior Court on 15 misdemeanor counts, authorities said. Among the charges are two counts of grand theft, each of which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The commission’s staff investigated the company after receiving consumer complaints alleging overcharges, goods being held hostage for higher payment and damages to belongings.

Perez continued to perform moving services after his state permit was revoked in August and violated consumer protection rules that movers are required to follow, investigators said.

After receiving the results of the commission’s investigation, Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo filed charges against Perez and Ford Moving and Storage earlier this month. According to the California Public Utilities Code, it is a crime to engage in or attempt to engage in transporting used household goods without a valid license.

Consumers using unlicensed movers may suffer losses of personal belongings with little means of recovery, authorities said. To check the status of a moving company’s license, consumers can call the PUC at (800) 366-4782.

“Moving companies in Los Angeles that overcharge customers and hold goods hostage will pay for their improper actions,” Delgadillo said. “I urge all consumers to put as much research as they do to finding their new homes into finding a fully licensed and insured moving company.”

The Public Utilities Commission receives hundreds of complaints a year regarding moving companies, spokeswoman Sheri Inouye said. “In this case we saw a trend of calls against Ford Moving and we launched an investigation,” she said.

Since 2000, the commission has received more than 1,500 complaints about moving companies, including 205 so far this year, Inouye said.