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Investigations

Date

Five Sentenced for CDL Fraud

Arthur A. Millar, Jr., Ronald W. Smiedala, Frederick F. Hooks, Timothy W. Bolton, and Michael T. Schonewitz were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Biloxi, Mississippi, for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Schonewitz was a CDL examiner for the State of Mississippi Department of Public Safety, while the other defendants were employed by PoBoy Services, Inc., a commercial tow-truck company in Mobile, Alabama. Schonewitz gave Millar, Smiedala, Hooks, passing scores on the Federally-required commercial motor vehicle (CDL) examination when, in truth, they did not take, and/or did not pass all portions of the exam. The indictment also charged that Bolton impersonated Hooks and took a Federally-required eye examination in his stead because Hooks had a visual impairment that disqualified him from obtaining a CDL. The defendants were each fined $1,000 and sentenced to 2 years of probation. The State also revoked Schonewitz’s certificate to administer CDL exams. OIG investigated this case with the FBI, Mississippi State authorities, and the Alabama Highway Patrol. FMCSA also provided technical assistance and support.