Investigations
Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Illegally Operating a Transportation Service
On May 4, 2016, Wilking A. Mateo Santana, of Springfield, MA, was sentenced to 1 year of probation, 40 hours of community service, and $3,300 in fines in U.S. District Court, Springfield, MA. Previously, on January 29, 2016, he was charged and pleaded guilty to 12 counts of illegally operating a transportation service in violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety laws.
Santana employed drivers and operated a van service between Springfield and New York City under the names of Santana Xpress, Inc. and Santana Busline. These companies were regulated by FMCSA. In 2012, FMCSA ordered Santana to stop operating the transportation service after inspections uncovered numerous safety violations. In 2012 and 2013, Santana continued to operate the van service even though he had been determined to be unfit to operate safely.
Santana's sentence also requires him to dissolve all business operations of Santana Busline and Santana Xpress, Inc. and for Santana to not seek broker authority or a Department of Transportation number. Santana will not be permitted to maintain an ownership interest or managerial position with any FMCSA regulated entity.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with assistance from FMCSA.