Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025:
- A mechanic in Pennsylvania was arrested on a litany of charges for falsely certifying inspections and providing counterfeit state inspection stickers for more than 150 trucking companies.
- The U.S. DOT is beginning the process of developing its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, which will outline DOT priorities during that time period. Truckers are invited to comment.
- Truck owners in the mid-Atlantic region have a new truck show coming their way later this month with the Gear Jammer Magazine N.J. Summer Showdown in Freehold.
- Matt Schrap will step down from longtime service as CEO for the Harbor Trucking Association, representing West Coast intermodal carriers, later this month.
Pennsylvania mechanic arrested for falsely certifying commercial truck inspections, forging inspection stickers
A Pennsylvania mechanic has been arrested for allegedly falsely certifying commercial motor vehicles as safe to travel roadways and forging state inspection stickers for the vehicles.
Fares Farhat
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said Farhat was doing business as “A+ Auto Inspections” or “A Plus Auto Care LLC,” operating from multiple locations, including Philmont Avenue in Huntingdon Valley in Montgomery County and Torresdale Avenue in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania State Police began investigating Farhat after Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials and troopers observed safety inspection stickers that were missing security features, serial numbers of authorized inspection stations and other abnormalities. The counterfeit stickers were found on commercial vehicles that had severe mechanical deficiencies, including worn or separating brake pads and other conditions that would have made them inoperable under Pennsylvania and federal law and taken them out of service. Farhat’s signature was found on the back of these stickers.
Subsequent investigation revealed Farhat was suspended as a certified state inspection mechanic, which prevented him from legally inspecting any vehicle and certifying their safety by issuing Pennsylvania state inspection stickers. Yet Farhat allegedly continued to advertise and conduct both federal and state safety inspections and issued counterfeit Pennsylvania safety inspection certificates/stickers and other associated documents. Those include federal safety inspection certificates/stickers and records of annual inspection forms, and went to various individual truck owners as well as entire fleets in some cases.
While under suspension, charges allege, Farhat obtained counterfeit Pennsylvania safety inspection stickers to convince customers into believing he was providing legitimate annual state and federal inspection services. The investigation found Farhat would accept payment for these illicit inspections, stickers, and forms via Zelle or in cash with individual amounts between $150 and $250 per vehicle.
Many of his customers, most of whom were motor carriers, were unaware that Farhat was not providing them with authentic PA inspection stickers, federal annual inspection stickers and a record of annual inspection form, District Attorney Steele noted. A review of Farhat’s Zelle account found hundreds of transactions with notations of “inspection services,” “inspection” or “sticker” that totaled $76,185.
Additionally, there were hundreds of other transactions that had no notation but were sent by a trucking company or a trucking company official and were similar in payment amounts between $150 and $250. Those transactions totaled $207,892. More than 150 trucking companies had paid for services from Farhat.
“The defendant’s actions are a danger to not only Pennsylvanians but every driver where these trucks, tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles are operating,” Steele said. “He deemed them safe to operate and provided forged state and federal papers saying so, when, in fact, they aren’t safe and should be taken out of service.”
Farhat was arrested on Aug. 4, on a mouthful of a principal charge: Dealing in the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Forgery, Corrupt Organization, Deceptive Business Practices -- Altered Goods, Theft by Deception, Fabricate Physical Evidence, Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Altered/Forged/Counterfeit Documents or Plates and related charges. He was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000 cash. A bail review hearing was held Aug. 5, and his bail was increased to $99,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.
[Related: ECM theft ring busted in Florida]
U.S. DOT wants feedback on next Strategic Plan
The United States Department of Transportation is asking the public to provide input on the development of the DOT Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2026-2030.
The Strategic Plan establishes the department’s strategic goals and objectives for the covered years.
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires that federal agencies revise and update their strategic plan at the beginning of each new presidential term, and in doing so, solicit input from interested stakeholders. Additionally, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 requires that each agency’s strategic plan include an evidence-building plan that identifies and addresses policy questions, which the agency develops in consultation with stakeholders. The DOT’s current and previous Strategic Plans can be accessed online here.
In developing the FY 2026-2030 DOT Strategic Plan, the department is asking for public input on the following questions:
- What strategies or priorities should the DOT adopt to improve the nation’s transportation systems?
- How should DOT measure progress towards the priorities suggested in the previous question?
- What emerging challenges or opportunities in transportation warrant additional DOT activities, investments, research, or analysis?
- How can DOT best create value for its activities with stakeholders?
Comments can be filed beginning Friday, Aug. 8, at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0963.
The department anticipates that the final DOT Strategic Plan for FY 2026-2030 will be posted on the DOT website around February 2026.
New truck show coming to New Jersey this month
The first annual Gear Jammer Magazine N.J. Summer Showdown truck show is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 30, at the East Freehold Showgrounds in Freehold, New Jersey.
The all-day event will feature a Show & Shine with trophies, a light show, food trucks, live music and more.
[Related: 23-year-old Cameron Bagley's 1999 Peterbilt 379 carries on father's legacy]
Entry fees for trucks competing in the event are $40 per truck. The fee for spectators is $20. Children 15 and under get in free.
The show is being organized by Gear Jammer’s Bob Conrad and is sponsored by Elizabeth Truck Center. More information can be found on the show’s Facebook page.
[Related: Gear Jammer Magazine Truck Show: Winners, drag racing tips and tricks, history]
Harbor Trucking Association names new leader
The Harbor Trucking Association, a coalition of intermodal carriers serving America’s West Coast Ports, announced Aug. 1 that it has named Robert Loya as its new CEO following the departure of current CEO Matt Schrap on Aug. 22.
HTA announced Schrap’s departure after four years as the organization’s CEO in May.
"Matt's dedication and uncanny ability to diplomatically maneuver very controversial issues has been instrumental in elevating the Harbor Trucking Association," Loya said at the time in his role as HTA Board President. "He has tirelessly advocated for our members, navigating complex challenges with intelligence and a unique ability to connect with stakeholders across the spectrum. We are deeply grateful for his commitment and the significant strides the HTA has made under his leadership."
Loya has held numerous positions in the trucking and maritime industries, most recently as Chief Operations Officer at T.G.S., which closed its doors on July 31. He was former Board President of the California Trucking Association and has worked with several other organizations across the United States in promoting and supporting trucking issues on local, state and federal levels, HTA noted.
