Court Bulletin

For immediate release
June 17, 2009

MOTA CAR SALES INC., MARIA MOTA AND JORGE MOTA FINED $100,000 FOR DRIVE CLEAN RELATED OFFENCES

TORONTO — On June 15, 2009, Maria Mota, Jorge Mota and Mota Car Sales Inc. pleaded guilty to a total of six offenses under the Environmental Protection Act with respect to the Drive Clean Program.  They were fined a total of $100,000 plus victim fine surcharges and were given 24 months to pay.

The Court heard that Maria Mota and Mota Car Sales Inc., a car dealership, located in Hamilton, Ontario, had submitted false information to the Ministry of the Environment’s Drive Clean Program.  They had been submitting false northern Ontario addresses for individuals when in fact the individuals lived in southern Ontario. The Drive Clean program does not apply to northern Ontario. As such, Maria Mota and Mota Car Sales Inc. circumvented Drive Clean requirements.

Jorge Mota was convicted as a Director for failing to take all reasonable care to prevent the corporation from contravening the Act.  The offences occurred at a driver and vehicle licensing office in the City of Toronto.

The company and the Motas were charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.

Justice of the Peace Warren G. Ralph, heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario and imposed sentence on June 15, 2009.

-30-

For further information:
Members of the media: Kate Jordan Communications Branch (416) 314-6666
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

Back to Court Bulletins