An Olympia moving company has been fined by Washington state for the second time in seven months for not filing an application before acquiring another moving company. In this newest case, the acquired company was based in Spokane.

The second penalty assessment, for $7,000, was issued to the owners of Bekins Northwest for not reporting the acquisition of Action Moving Services, Inc., of Spokane. That Spokane firm also operated a moving company in Kent, Accountable Moving & Storage.

The acquisition was dated Nov. 22, according to a release by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The UTC found Kris and Lauri O’Bannon, owners of Northwest Movers Central, LLC, and Northwest Movers, LLC, d/b/a Bekins Northwest, didn't file the application as required by state rules.

That fine was assessed based on $100 per day from Nov. 22, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2014, resulting in a penalty of $7,000.

On Aug. 16, 2013, the O’Bannons were assessed a $4,700 penalty for failing to file an application when they purchased the Olympia-based Bekins operation.

“Violations of this rule are potentially harmful to the public,” said Sharon Wallace, the UTC’s assistant director for consumer protection. “Without accurate ownership information about a regulated company, we can’t assist consumers with complaints or claims; we can’t provide an accurate complaint history or permit status; and we can’t ensure that a company is following laws related to proper insurance, driver drug-testing or vehicle safety.”

The release said the company has 15 days to do one of the following: pay the amount due, request a hearing to contest the violations, or request mitigation of the penalty.

 

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