FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Specialist Pleads Guilty to Accepting a Bribe
On July, 27, 2011, Eric Hernandez, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Safety Specialist, pled guilty to bribery of public officials and witnesses.
Mr. Hernandez sold a Level I Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) decal to the driver of a commercial motor vehicle knowing that the vehicle had not been inspected. A CVSA decal is issued to commercial motor vehicles passing roadside or periodic inspections performed under the authority of any state government or FMCSA. The alleged activity was reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS) who initiated an investigation and obtained video footage capturing the incident. Mr. Hernandez was subsequently arrested. Mr. Hernandez was placed on administrative leave by FMCSA in December 2010.
This is an ongoing investigation being conducted with assistance from Texas DPS and FMCSA.