Chages files against 12 smog refs in SJ for "Clean Piping"
10-22-2009, 09:04 AM
#1
Chages files against 12 smog refs in SJ for "Clean Piping"
How long until they go after the cars that were "clean piping"?
Originally Posted by Kron4 news
SAN JOSE (BCN) -- Twelve technicians at seven smog shops in San Jose, Morgan Hill and Santa Clara have been arrested and charged for allegedly illegally certifying vehicles that did not meet smog standards.
The arrests followed an undercover investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair in conjunction with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
The district attorney's office alleges that the shops practiced "clean piping," in which a technician or another employee uses a clean exhaust sample from a vehicle that is compliant with smog laws but enters the data for another vehicle that is not qualified for certification. The shops allegedly charged up to $200 for the illegal certification.
Smog shops suspected of clean piping include TNT Smog in Morgan Hill, Santa Clara Test Only in Santa Clara, and five shops in San Jose: Tram Test Only Center Inc., Spartan Test Only, 914 Test Only, 210 Smog Test Only, and Century Auto Service.
At a news conference at the county government center in San Jose this morning, District Attorney Dolores Carr said clean piping directly violates smog laws and circumvents efforts to preserve the environment.
"We take this criminal offense very seriously," Carr said. "Clean piping is a direct threat to public health."
Sherry Mehl, chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair, said the practice "substantially degrades the air we breathe."
"The goal of California's Smog Check Program is to reduce air pollution by bringing vehicles into compliance with emissions standards," Mehl said. "What many people fail to realize is that keeping their vehicles well-maintained not only helps clean our air, but also saves them money in the long run."
Investigators with the Bureau of Automotive Repair earlier this year monitored locations it had identified where cars that were not brought into the shop were "tested" and certified. The case was then turned over to the district attorney's office, which filed formal felony charges against the technicians in June and July.
"My office will continue to prosecute smog check station operators who defraud and endanger the public by keeping polluting cars on the road," Carr said.
The technicians' licenses have been revoked. The Bureau of Automotive Repair is seeking to permanently revoke the shops' Auto Repair Dealer registration and smog check license, although the shops can contest any actions at an administrative hearing.
The arrests followed an undercover investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair in conjunction with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
The district attorney's office alleges that the shops practiced "clean piping," in which a technician or another employee uses a clean exhaust sample from a vehicle that is compliant with smog laws but enters the data for another vehicle that is not qualified for certification. The shops allegedly charged up to $200 for the illegal certification.
Smog shops suspected of clean piping include TNT Smog in Morgan Hill, Santa Clara Test Only in Santa Clara, and five shops in San Jose: Tram Test Only Center Inc., Spartan Test Only, 914 Test Only, 210 Smog Test Only, and Century Auto Service.
At a news conference at the county government center in San Jose this morning, District Attorney Dolores Carr said clean piping directly violates smog laws and circumvents efforts to preserve the environment.
"We take this criminal offense very seriously," Carr said. "Clean piping is a direct threat to public health."
Sherry Mehl, chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair, said the practice "substantially degrades the air we breathe."
"The goal of California's Smog Check Program is to reduce air pollution by bringing vehicles into compliance with emissions standards," Mehl said. "What many people fail to realize is that keeping their vehicles well-maintained not only helps clean our air, but also saves them money in the long run."
Investigators with the Bureau of Automotive Repair earlier this year monitored locations it had identified where cars that were not brought into the shop were "tested" and certified. The case was then turned over to the district attorney's office, which filed formal felony charges against the technicians in June and July.
"My office will continue to prosecute smog check station operators who defraud and endanger the public by keeping polluting cars on the road," Carr said.
The technicians' licenses have been revoked. The Bureau of Automotive Repair is seeking to permanently revoke the shops' Auto Repair Dealer registration and smog check license, although the shops can contest any actions at an administrative hearing.
10-22-2009, 09:29 AM
#3
"We take this criminal offense very seriously," Carr said. "Clean piping is a direct threat to public health."
Sherry Mehl, chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair, said the practice "substantially degrades the air we breathe."
What a joke. Direct threat to public health??? Substantially degrades the air we breathe?? What a bunch of nonsense. I'm all for having cats in upgraded exhausts, but this is just plain ridiculous.
-Brian
Sherry Mehl, chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair, said the practice "substantially degrades the air we breathe."
What a joke. Direct threat to public health??? Substantially degrades the air we breathe?? What a bunch of nonsense. I'm all for having cats in upgraded exhausts, but this is just plain ridiculous.
-Brian
10-22-2009, 09:39 AM
#5
BanHammer™
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The only reason we have strict smog laws in the state is so that CARB could convince the feds to allow big business and factories to pollute more.
its a joke that this is "about the environment"
The overall smog index has to be at a certain level. Lessen the amount from vehicles allows more pollution from large manufactures and refineries.
PROFIT!
its a joke that this is "about the environment"
The overall smog index has to be at a certain level. Lessen the amount from vehicles allows more pollution from large manufactures and refineries.
PROFIT!
10-22-2009, 10:09 AM
#11
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Ohh the Bay area....
"What many people fail to realize is that keeping their vehicles well-maintained not only helps clean our air, but also saves them money in the long run."
Somehow I have a feeling Sherry Mehl has never changed her spark plugs before, yet alone get her hands greasy and does not have the qualifications to make such a claim.
"Clean piping is a direct threat to public health." Show me the data
"What many people fail to realize is that keeping their vehicles well-maintained not only helps clean our air, but also saves them money in the long run."
Somehow I have a feeling Sherry Mehl has never changed her spark plugs before, yet alone get her hands greasy and does not have the qualifications to make such a claim.
"Clean piping is a direct threat to public health." Show me the data
