It’s an unfortunate truth that when unsafe or shady carriers close their doors, it’s far too easy for them to reopen under a new name. In the past, these “chameleon carriers” have popped up over and over with fines against an old carrier disappearing when the “new” company is formed. Now however, prosecutors are starting to shift their targets: One former chameleon carrier owner has just been sentenced to prison.
Volodymyr Kurylo, the former owner of AV Trinity and VN Trucking, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison, 36 months of probation, and ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
Kurylo ran a small carrier which was called AV Trinity when the FMCSA first issued an out-of-service order to him in 2014. Instead of shutting down however, Kurylo simply changed the name of his company to VN Trucking and kept on operating.
An investigation later revealed that Kurylo was still using the same trucks and even the same bank accounts to run the “new” company.
When charges were brought against him, Kurylo admitted that “he knowingly and intentionally caused the transmission of a registration document to FMCSA in the name of a reincarnated carrier…” according to the OIG report.
Hmm only 3000 dollar fine. Guess it was worth it to stay open if the fine was that low
Why do people behave this way? Where is the respect ? I am sad this occurred in the trucking industry and I agree that a $3,000 fine seems small considering what occurred. But I am hopeful that his trucking scam days are over. I am Sad for him and his family. Let’s pray he will learn from this experience
What a piece of garbage this guy is in the story.