A major sting operation by the NY State Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman’s office found that more than 13,000 fraudulent vehicle inspection stickers issued by 7 of New York City’s main inspection centers between December 2012 and February 2013.
According to officials, the investigation, known as “Operation Ridin’ Dirtier, “ a joint effort by Schneiderman’s office, the DMV and Environmental Conservation used vehicles rigged to fail legal motor vehicle inspections at each station, only to have them pass, despite the fact that the inspectors performed little if any inspection on them, while employees of several stations “didn’t due a clean scan,” but instead sold inspection stickers to undercover investigators at inflated prices. While inspectors are only allowed to charge $37 for a motor vehicle scan by law, some charged as much as $150 for the fake certification.
All motor vehicles within New York are required to undergo annual inspections for safety and at least every 2-years for emissions, which are conducted using DMV regulated equipment. Those nabbed by the sting now face charges of violating the state’s penal code, environmental law, vehicle and traffic law. They have also all pleaded guilty, and will face penalties including probation or a conditional discharge, along with a $5,000 fine. These include Rapid Car Inc., in the Yonkers; Prestige Muffler Inc., Bronx; Ochun Auto Repair Inc., Bronx; Mega Muffler Center Corp., Bronx; Automotive Inc., also in the Bronx; Sepro Auto Repair, Inc., New York and the Bronx; and All Prestige Muffler Inc., Bronx.
