Investigations

On September 13, 2019, FMCSA debarred Qi Sheng Zhang and Amy Li from doing business with the Federal Government for a 5-year period. Previously, Zhang and Li were convicted and sentenced in U.S. District Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for their roles in a conspiracy to evade enforcement of motor carrier safety regulations by reincarnating passenger bus companies. 

In May 2012, FMCSA issued Imminent Hazard Orders (IHO) and a Record Consolidation Order (RCO) to 4 individuals and 10 commercial passenger bus companies, including but not limited to Zhang and Li, as well as New Century Travel and Super Luxury Tours (collectively, the affiliated motor carriers), ordering them to cease all commercial motor carrier operations. According to the IHOs, FMCSA had found that the affiliated motor carriers were under the common control and management of New Century Travel, Zhang, and Li, and that their continued operations posed an imminent hazard to public safety. At various times prior to the IHO and RCO, FMCSA placed individual components of the affiliated motor carriers out of service for various safety violations. In fact, FMCSA placed Super Luxury Tours out of service after one of its buses crashed in March 2011, killing two people and injuring dozens. 

In June 2013, FMCSA entered into an Agreement and Stipulated Order for Rescission (ASOR) of the IHOs and RCO in which the affiliated motor carriers stipulated that any subsequent motor carrier operations would be registered and conducted only under the name Black Leopard Travel. In October 2013, FMCSA conducted a mandatory compliance review of Bus Go Bus, a commercial motor carrier located in Massachusetts, and found serious noncompliance with safety regulations and that the company was owned and controlled by Zhang, in violation of the ASOR. 

The investigation revealed that from June 2012 to September 2013, Zhang conspired with Li to operate Bus Go Bus, although they were prohibited from doing so by FMCSA. They concealed their involvement with Bus Go Bus from the Agency so they could continue operations while simultaneously feigning compliance with the FMCSA Orders in an attempt to regain operating authority for the affiliated motor carriers. Zhang admitted that he and Li conspired to apply for motor passenger authority for Black Leopard Travel from FMCSA, but intentionally failed to disclose their affiliation with Bus Go Bus. 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with FMCSA’s assistance.

Note: A suspension or debarment frequently covers a specific period of time. Please consult the System for Award Management to determine whether a company or individual is currently suspended or debarred.