Action in three trucking-related crimes – including medical exam fraud and illegal hazmat transport – has recently been reported by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.
Alabama woman sentenced for role in medical exam scheme
An Alabama woman was convicted and sentenced in May for her role in a scheme to submit falsified DOT-mandated CDL medical exams to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Andrea Deagle was sentenced to two years of probation for her role in the scheme. According to OIG, she concealed her knowledge of a felony by electronically submitting false medical records to FMCSA for people who did not meet federal regulatory standards.
Pennsylvania doctor convicted, sentenced for falsifying DOT medical exams
Dr. Michael A. McCormick was sentenced to three years of probation, a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment fee after pleading guilty to one count of making false statements in connection with a DOT medical exam.
OIG says McCormick admitted to making a false writing or document and aiding and abetting others in making false writings or documents.
An investigation found that in April 2017, McCormick told his staff at Express Med Urgent Care to conduct a DOT physical on a patient seeking to obtain a CDL. The staff members, who were not certified medical examiners, completed a DOT medical exam report and issued a DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate under McCormick’s name and his National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners number.
Trucking company ordered to pay $3 million after illegally hauling hazmat
Wiley Sanders Truck Lines was sentenced June 10 to three years of probation and over $3 million in penalties – specifically, a $1.5 million fine, a $1.5 million community service payment to the Exide Residential Assistance Fund, and a $1,200 special assessment – for illegally hauling hazardous materials.
A DOT investigation found that on separate occasions, in August and November 2013 and March 2014, Wiley Sanders used trucks to transport more than 64 tons of battery recycling waste without authorized packaging.
The hazmat was moved from the now-closed Exide Technologies battery recycling facility in Vernon, California, to a company in Bakersfield, California.
On Feb. 5, 2019, the company admitted in a plea agreement to willfully and recklessly transporting 128,840 pounds of lead-contaminated plastic chips, knowing that the trailers it used didn’t contain lining or inner packing material to prevent liquids and semi-solids from leaking through cracks and other openings.
