Packal said PG&E attempted to use equipment Bay Area Concrete had installed on PG&E property in Petaluma, and the company sent PG&E a cease and desist letter. Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more. Mike Mibach catches up with the principal investigator of the new study along with a San Francisco fire captain to discuss the results. In exchange, the lawsuit alleges, a company linked to Johal and Singh repaved Huggins driveway while they were supposed to be working on a PG&E job. "PG&E has initiated an internal review to determine why this wasn't detected earlier, and we will be enhancing our protocols to ensure this doesn't happen again," a PG&E spokesperson wrote. In 2018, Singh and Johal acquired a property in Tracy in California's Central Valley and opened new facilities in Seattle and San Jose. In response to a long list of questions, PG&E provided a brief statement that did not directly address how warning signs like the company owners long conflict with the city of Hayward and participation in an illegal dumping operation were overlooked. Oct 2021 - Dec 20213 months. It can also be found online. When confronted by PG&E investigators, Huggins told the investigators he had paid the $16,750 bill in cash, which he happened to have on hand in his house. In 16 years, the pair's business empire has grown from a single trucking firm to more than a dozen companies operating in 11 cities throughout the West Coast. City staff denied the application. Another shell company, CCI Management, was owned by Kooistra and acted as a subcontractor for Bay Area Concrete in Paradise. The facility processed the slurry waste from hydrovac trucks, special excavation equipment that uses pressurized water to dig around delicate equipment like buried gas lines or cables. Huggins retired, and Kooistra sold his home and moved out of state after being confronted by PG&E investigators, the counterclaim by PG&E said. Kooistra was interviewed in January 2020 by PG&E investigators, who confronted him with evidence of his interest in companies connected to Bay Area Concrete. PG&E's filing is in response to a breach of contract lawsuit filed against the utility in October by Bay Area Concrete. You can cancel at any time. Johnson's memo said that PG&E had alerted the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees PG&E for the state, but CPUC officials said there was no investigation. About 450 more new houses are in the pipeline for reconstruction one year after the start of the Camp Fire. According to PG&Es complaint, CCI did hauling work for Bay Area Concrete, which would submit invoices directly to PG&E. According to the disposal company, it racked up $14 million in unpaid invoices. A subordinate is accused of having received a bribe in an unorthodox property transfer of a multimillion-dollar house in a wealthy suburb of San Francisco. The new court filings show that PG&E had a longer business relationship with Bay Area Concrete than previously known. In 16 years, the pair's. Kooistra was interviewed in January 2020 by PG&E investigators, who confronted him with evidence of his interest in companies connected to Bay Area Concrete. Utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric accused two of its former employees of accepting bribes to funnel business to a waste-hauling company after the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history. Huggins retired, and Kooistra sold his home and moved out of state after being confronted by PG&E investigators, the counterclaim by PG&E said. Bay Area Concrete stuck around and opened a new dump on PG&E property in Petaluma. According to the disposal company, it racked up $14 million in unpaid invoices. Four days later, he retired. On June 16, PG&E CEO and President William Johnson pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to 84 counts of felony manslaughter and one count of failing to maintain the lines that caused the fire near Paradise, known as the Camp Fire. Kooistra sold his home in California in February and returned to Arizona, where he founded a pool cleaning business in May. Yadwinder Singh Associated Addresses Po Box 1603, Union City, CA 94587109 Castlewood Dr, Pleasanton, CA 9456624701 Clawiter Rd, Hayward, CA 94545 Yadwinder Singh Associated Phone Numbers (408) 210-3938 (510) 797-4452 (408) 946-6632 Yadwinder Singh Associated Email Addresses economytrucking@sbcglobal.net kevin.singh@gmail.com mhamidi1@yahoo.com Olivero wrote that PG&E owed the company more than $14 million. "The allegations are patently false and not supported by the evidence," she said. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Bay Area Concrete hired a manager of that site, Kevin Olivero, to be its CEO. One supervisor for PG&E allegedly had his driveway paved on the power company's dime. Singh and Johal negotiated use of the site through Olivero, whom they would later hire to run their flagship company. Bay Area Concrete stuck around and opened a new dump on PG&E property in Petaluma. Singh did not respond to requests for comment. Public records show that the company's income increased substantially, from $16.5 million to $43.5 million, after receiving a contract to dispose of waste in connection with the Paradise fire. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey said last year that PG&E alerted his office to the allegations against Bay Area Concrete. Rob Roth reports from Paradise. He sold his home in Rocklin and moved to Arizona. In its suit, Bay Area Concrete alleged that it had saved PG&E millions of dollars by doing disposal work in Paradise more cheaply than a competitor. The allegations track closely with the results of an investigation last year by ProPublica and the Bay City News Foundation, which found that PG&E had overlooked numerous warning signs when it hired Bay Area Concrete. Later, the news agencies revealed a suspicious real estate transaction that connected Singh and one of the PG&E employees. But while the city and Bay Area Concrete's neighbors sought to shut the company down, another wanted to do business. In a statement, PG&E spokesperson James Noonan called the alleged actions of Bay Area Concrete completely unacceptable., We will pursue every available action to remedy the situation and do right by those that we have the privilege to serve, Noonan said. In a letter to PG&E posted to the company's website, Olivero accused PG&E of falsifying accusations to avoid paying bills as the utility still owes the company a substantial sum. PG&E did not say how much the utility believes it was overcharged by Bay Area Concrete as it continues to investigate. But that same day, a spark ignited brush in the remote foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. "We have already redirected the work to new vendors to make sure our efforts rebuilding in Paradise and Butte County will not be delayed." In 16 years, the pair's. Copyright Weeklys All rights reserved. The firm was tied to illegal dumping on federally protected wetlands and had engaged in a long conflict with regulators in the city of Hayward, where Bay Area Concrete operates a dump. Two days later, Kooistra quit his job, according to the complaint. In Richmond, a Contra Costa County Environmental Health Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted solid waste facility. Bay Area Concrete is part of a sprawling network of hauling, recycling and construction companies owned by Bay Area couple Preet Johal and Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh. In 16 years, the pairs business empire has grown from a single trucking firm to more than a dozen companies operating in 11 cities throughout the West Coast. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey said last year that PG&E alerted his office to the allegations against Bay Area Concrete. According to the countercomplaint, Kooistra denied any wrongdoing or having an interest in the companies, despite the interest being disclosed in public records. In selecting Bay Area Concrete for the environmentally sensitive job, however, PG&E ignored the firm's history of illegal dumping and conflict with regulators, as well as its employment of a senior manager connected to environmental crimes, according to interviews and a review of court records, public documents and business filings by the Bay City News Foundation and ProPublica. Public records show that the companys income increased substantially, from $16.5 million to $43.5 million, after receiving a contract to dispose of waste in connection with the Paradise fire. A slumping chain-link fence with barbed wire surrounds most of the property. The firm was tied to illegal dumping on federally protected wetlands and had engaged in a long conflict with regulators in the city of Hayward, where Bay Area Concrete operates a dump. To assist in the cleanup, PG&E hired a fleet of as many as 180 hydrovac trucks, which flocked to Paradise from as far away as Kansas City and Montana. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. That business grew substantially in November 2018, when a PG&E transmission line sparked a wildfire in Butte County that destroyed more than 18,000 structures and killed 85 people. The Bay City News Foundation and ProPublica first reported the exchange, which one expert described as possible money laundering. Kooistra did not respond to attempts to contact him by phone, mail or social media. If the dust was allowed to drain into the bay, it could be harmful to fish. MongoDb<br>3. "I've spoken to [Bauters] several times, we have a very different opinion about what is appropriate discharge onto the street and what is not," Wilfong said at a Hayward Planning Commission meeting in 2018. Is the Stanley Quencher tumbler worth its TikTok hype? They have since only paid us a portion of that. The wildfire grew rapidly, driven by winds that fanned flames across the region. The accused PG&E employees, Ronald Huggins Jr. and Ryan Kooistra, did not respond to requests for comment. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until WED 9:00 AM PST, Mendocino County Coast, until WED 8:00 AM PST, Carquinez Strait and Delta, from THU 2:00 AM PST until THU 8:00 AM PST, Carquinez Strait and Delta, from WED 1:00 AM PST until WED 8:00 AM PST, North Bay interior valleys, East Bay Interior Valleys, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, from THU 12:00 AM PST until THU 9:00 AM PST, Mendocino County Coast, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California, Japanese startup announces balloon flights taking passengers up to space. ", "We will pursue every available action to remedy the situation and do right by those that we have the privilege to serve," Noonan said. SAN FRANCISCO - Utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric accused two of its former employees of accepting bribes to funnel business to a waste-hauling company after the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history. In response to a long list of questions, PG&E provided a brief statement that did not directly address how warning signs like the company owners' long conflict with the city of Hayward and participation in an illegal dumping operation were overlooked. "You need to know what you need to do to control this dust. 21 talking about this. PG&E hired Bay Area Concrete to dispose of waste from hydrovac trucks special vacuum trucks that use pressurized water for precise excavation. PG&E's court filing alleges that Regal Rose LLC, a shell company established by Singh, was also in possession of a property in Arizona when it was transferred to Kooistra. PG&E alleges that Huggins was aware of Kooistas actions and did not disclose them. Utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric accused two of its former employees of accepting bribes to funnel business to a waste-hauling company after the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey confirmed that PG&E contacted his office regarding the allegations and said he is waiting for further information from the utility. In 2014, the company was connected to an illegal dumping operation on federally protected wetlands in Newark. Attempts to reach the couple through their attorney, phone calls, social media and mail were unsuccessful. Nearly two years after the deadly Camp Fire, a new era for California's utilities is still taking shape. The same month, San Jose code enforcement officials cited the company for operating a recycling transfer facility without permits. Journalist Camille Von Kaenel explains on The Four. Kooistra was interviewed in January 2020 by PG&E investigators, who confronted him with evidence of his interest in companies connected to Bay Area Concrete. In multiple interviews with the news organizations, Bay Area Concrete officials denied the firm had done anything wrong. Here's how the scheme worked, according to PG&E's allegations in court filings. Listing photos showed a home gym, billiard room and in-ground swimming pool with panoramic mountain views. In late 2019, PG&E learned of the alleged fraud and launched an investigation. Clearly what you are doing now is not working. Responsible for establishing a corporate relationship with multi-national companies, and manage salary accounts, corporate credit cards . A mural painted by Shane Grammar is seen on a chimney that remains at a property burned by the Camp fire in Paradise, California on February 01, 2019. City planners had fined the company nearly $60,000 and ordered it shut down. According to PG&E's complaint, CCI did hauling work for Bay Area Concrete, which would submit invoices directly to PG&E. Bay Area Concrete's contract with PG&E was terminated, and the company is under criminal investigation. One supervisor for PG&E allegedly had his driveway paved on the power companys dime. Bauters, who would become the company's top environmental officer, brought with him impeccable credentials. The employee, Ryan Kooistra, lost his job as PG&E went public with the allegations, according to industry insiders. PG&E alleges that in exchange for these kickbacks, the employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete Recycling. The new court filings show that PG&E had a longer business relationship with Bay Area Concrete than previously known. PG&E alleges that in exchange for these kickbacks, the employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete Recycling. PG&E alleges that Kooistra and Huggins steered PG&E contracts to Bay Area Concrete and other companies controlled by Singh and Johal. "Everything was focused on the core competency of what we do.". As we have stated previously, PG&E will continue to hold ourselves and those that do work on our behalf to the highest ethical standards.. In 2019, they leased land on Treasure Island in the San . Yadwinder Singh Project Technician at F12.net Calgary, Alberta, Canada 235 followers 233 connections Join to view profile F12.net Seneca College About Customer service focused System. A jury convicted Lucero, and he was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The Bay City News Foundation and ProPublica first reported the exchange, which one expert described as possible money laundering. In July 2018, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board issued a notice of noncompliance saying that the Sacramento facility, still under construction, lacked proper state permits. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey confirmed that PG&E contacted his office regarding the allegations and said he is waiting for further information from the utility. He said the company may have overlooked some details as it grew its business. Olivero wrote that PG&E owed the company more than $14 million. PG&Es counterclaim, filed earlier this month, names Bay Area Concrete, both former PG&E employees, Singh, Johal, several of their other companies and Bay Area Concrete CEO Kevin Olivero as defendants. The facility processed the slurry waste from hydrovac trucks, special excavation equipment that uses pressurized water to dig around delicate equipment like buried gas lines or cables. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Corporate records unearthed by the news organizations show that while the fire still burned in Paradise, an attorney for Bay Area Concrete's owners registered a limited liability company at the business address of another one of the owners' companies. Very good beside manners. In 16 years, the pair's business empire has grown from a single trucking firm to more than a dozen companies operating in 11 cities throughout the West Coast. PG&E paid CCI $150,000 over five weeks without knowing that the company was owned by Kooistra, a violation of PG&E employment and supplier policies. PG&E paid CCI $150,000 over five weeks without knowing that the company was owned by Kooistra, a violation of PG&E employment and supplier policies. Packal said the arrangement resulted in substantial savings for PG&E in the labor and gas for trips to faraway disposal sites. The driver would pick water up from PG&E yards to haul to Bay Area Concrete's Paradise facility for process and disposal. All Rights Reserved. In February 2020, PG&E canceled Bay Area Concrete's contracts and publicly announced its belief that the waste company had committed fraud. 1 Sabrina Hamipi 1 Inderbir Kaur 1 Inderbir Kour Excel Known Addresses for Yadwinder Singh 24701 Clawiter Rd Hayward, CA 94545 255 Happy Valley Rd Pleasanton, CA 94566 PO Box 1603 Union City, CA 94587 Advertisements Source California Secretary of State In 2018, Singh and Johal acquired a property in Tracy in California's Central Valley and opened new facilities in Seattle and San Jose. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Adena Regional Medical Center and Berger Hospital. He said the company received only a day's warning when PG&E canceled its contracts and released the CEO's memo. Bay Area Concrete also said that it continued to work for PG&E as other companies fled when the utility declared bankruptcy in January 2019. To pay the bribes, Singh used a series of real estate transactions involving a 5,600-square-foot home in Saratoga to transfer money to Kooistra, PG&E alleges. In 2017, Bay Area Concrete opened new slurry waste disposal facilities in Richmond and Sacramento. I don't know what they're going to do. On March 15, 2016, Lucero was indicted for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Here in socialcounts.org you can track Yadwinder Singh Yaadi YouTube Live Subscriber Count and analytic Olivero reached an agreement with federal prosecutors to testify against Lucero. Bay Area Concrete is part of a sprawling network of hauling, recycling and construction companies owned by Bay Area couple Preet Johal and Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh. At the time, PG&E owed Bay Area Concrete nearly $4 million, according to bankruptcy filings. Kooistra sold his home in California in February and returned to Arizona, where he founded a pool cleaning business in May. 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