Politics & Government
State Shuts Down Jay the Mover in Edmonds
Commission says Jason Thomas Smith, who has 15 prior criminal convictions, threatened a consumer and held her belongings hostage.
Editor's note: The following is a news release from the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission.
State regulators on Friday suspended an Edmonds-based residential moving company’s temporary permit and ordered it to shut down business operations within the state of Washington after the owner threatened a consumer and held her belongings hostage.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) ordered Jay The Mover to cease and desist business operations in Washington related to residential moving.
Find out what's happening in Edmondswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On its Web site, Jay the Mover is listed as being at 22432 99th Ave W.
The commission also penalized the owner of the company, Jason Thomas Smith, $2,000 for violations related to a consumer complaint and submitting false information on his permit application. The matter has also been referred to the Seattle Police Department.
Find out what's happening in Edmondswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A complaint filed with the commission Tuesday revealed that Smith had held the customer’s goods hostage, demanding an unlawful sum above the agreed upon estimate. Smith also threatened the consumer, which prompted commission staff to run a background check, revealing 15 prior criminal convictions that were not disclosed on his permit application.
Commission staff allege that Smith poses an imminent danger to the public health, safety or welfare, leading to the immediate suspension and recommended denial of a permanent permit. Smith may request a hearing to contest the commission’s decision.
On March 8, Jay The Mover filed an application requesting authority to operate as a household goods carrier in the state of Washington. On March 14, the commission granted Jay The Mover temporary authority, which has now been suspended pending a denial of his application.
The commission requires applicants seeking to provide household goods residential moving services within the state to disclose criminal convictions. Smith failed to disclose a lengthy criminal record that would have precluded him from obtaining a temporary permit.
The UTC is the state’s watchdog agency in charge of enforcing consumer protection and safety regulations for more than 200 residential moving companies operating within the state. Movers must charge proper rates, carry insurance and keep their vehicles safely maintained. The commission does not regulate interstate moving companies.