40 Facilities Cited for Falsifying 20,000+ Vehicle Emission Inspections

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner David J. Swarts today announced that 40 inspection facilities in the downstate region have been cited for issuing more than 20,000 vehicle-inspection certificates for automobiles that were never actually tested for emissions.

To pass a state emissions inspection, a car or truck must be connected to state-approved inspection equipment that reads emissions levels and sends the information directly to a state DMV database. DMV inspectors identified the potential fraud and forwarded the information to DEC investigators. DEC found that inspectors at the 40 cited facilities skirted state law by attaching the inspection equipment to electronic devices that simulate inspections, thereby providing fake data to DMV computers. In 20,773 instances, investigators found that the vehicle of record likely was never tested.

"The intentional flouting of air pollution laws is unacceptable," Commissioner Grannis said. "Motor vehicles are a major source of harmful air pollution and New York maintains strong vehicle-emission limits in order to protect state residents – especially those living in the densely populated downstate area – from exposure to excessive vehicle emissions. Falsifying inspections is not only illegal but also keeps potentially polluting cars and trucks on the road, undermining the health of New Yorkers."

"We were pleased to work with our partners at DEC in uncovering this fraud," Commissioner Swarts said. "Protecting air quality and ensuring that emissions inspections are carried out appropriately are among DMV's important responsibilities. Violators of inspection procedures should realize that they will be discovered and prosecuted any time that their actions affect the health or safety of the citizens of New York."

The fake emissions inspections were carried out by facilities located in six counties: 27 in the Bronx, four in New York (Manhattan), four in Suffolk, three in Nassau and one apiece in Westchester and Kings (Brooklyn). DEC sent each of the facilities a "Notice of Violation;" potential fines for violating emissions-testing requirements range from $375 to $1,500 for the first offense and up to $22,500 for each ensuing offense. The notice requires station owners and inspectors to contact DEC by March 10.