New York Apple Tours, Fraud, NJ 2000

Newark, NJ – New York Apple Tours, a prominent tour bus operator servicing the New York City metropolitan area, was slapped with an $800,000 federal fine and placed on five years probation after admitting to falsifying documents related to imported vehicles. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigated by federal authorities, revealed a deliberate scheme to mislead regulators regarding the compliance of 70 double-decker buses purchased from England.

According to court documents, New York Apple Tours knowingly submitted false statements asserting that the imported buses met both federal emissions standards under the Clean Air Act and critical federal safety regulations. The buses, intended for use in highly trafficked tourist routes, were put into service *before* proper certification was obtained, potentially exposing passengers and the public to vehicles that did not meet required safety and environmental benchmarks. The fraud effectively allowed the company to bypass the rigorous inspection and modification processes mandated for imported vehicles.

The investigation, which began in late 1999, uncovered evidence that Apple Tours intentionally fabricated documentation to create the illusion of compliance. Sources close to the investigation suggest the company sought to avoid the significant costs and logistical delays associated with bringing the buses into full regulatory alignment. The scheme involved submitting falsified reports that claimed the vehicles already met US standards, a claim that was demonstrably untrue upon inspection by EPA officials.

On September 15, 1999, the company was formally charged with one count of making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. This federal statute prohibits knowingly and willfully making any false statement of material fact to the United States government. Apple Tours quickly entered a guilty plea, signaling an attempt to mitigate potential penalties. The plea, however, did not prevent a substantial financial penalty and a lengthy period of court-supervised probation.

The sentencing, handed down on July 28, 2000, included a $800,000 fine and a 60-month probationary period. During this probationary period, New York Apple Tours will be subject to strict oversight to ensure future compliance with all applicable federal regulations. Legal experts suggest the EPA pursued criminal charges in this case to send a strong message about the importance of adhering to environmental and safety standards, particularly within the transportation industry.

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Key Facts

Defendant: New York Apple Tours
Crime: Fraud, falsifying documents related to vehicle importation
State: New Jersey
Year: 2000
Statutes Violated: Clean Air Act, 18 U.S.C. 1001
Penalty: $800,000 fine, 60 months probation
Number of Buses Involved: 70
Type of Buses: Double-decker, imported from England

The EPA continues to emphasize the critical importance of compliance with environmental regulations, particularly as it relates to vehicle emissions and public safety. This case serves as a stark reminder that falsifying information to federal authorities carries significant legal consequences, even for large corporations.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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