Ownership of that new company was later transferred to a PG&E employee who oversaw Bay Area Concrete's work in Paradise. Liked by Yadwinder singh Happy Shree Krishna Janmashtami #sparkbrains #janmashtami2021 #webdevelopment #searchengineoptimisation #webdesigning Kooistra resigned and his supervisor, superintendent of gas transmission and distribution Ron Huggins, also no longer works at PG&E, according to the news organizations' investigation. Packal characterized these issues as minor. Concrete dust was covering neighbors' cars. Please subscribe to keep reading. In the same year they hired Olivero, Johal and Singh expanded into the business of disposing slurry waste collected by specialized disposal trucks known as hydrovacs. Dust from recycled concrete, she said, may have polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, carcinogens that were banned in 1978. The water board declined to comment or confirm the existence of any ongoing investigations. Bay Area Concrete has said that PG&Es accusations of fraud are false and the bankrupt utility was just trying to get out of paying its bills. Ramsey said in an email that he received no further information from PG&E but had determined that his office did not have jurisdiction in the case. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Bay Area Concrete is part of a sprawling network of hauling, recycling and construction companies owned by Bay Area couple Preet Johal and Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh. In late 2019, PG&E learned of the alleged fraud and launched an investigation. Facebook gives people the power. The site was shut down by police and its operator, James Lucero, was convicted of violations of the federal Clean Water Act. In 2017, Bay Area Concrete opened new slurry waste disposal facilities in Richmond and Sacramento. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The full investigation is available at ProPublica.org. As a result, the value of Bay Area Concretes contracts with PG&E increased exponentially over a period of four years, the lawsuit said. I'm Yadwinder Singh and I'm here to help you deliver better and faster solutions for your mobile and web app requirements!<br><br>I have 7 years of experience in total and over the span of time I have developed and deployed many products in Mobile app and Web app zone.<br><br>Technologies I am enrich with :<br><br>MERN/MEAN Stack:<br><br>1. Dr. Kevin Patrick Oreilly, MD . Huggins retired, and Kooistra sold his home and moved out of state after being confronted by PG&E investigators, the counterclaim by PG&E said. That summer, PG&E expanded its business with Bay Area Concrete. This February, as the news organizations began investigating, PG&E publicly accused Bay Area Concrete of defrauding the utility and bribing PG&E employees. The pair were careful to keep Bay Area Concrete's purchase orders low enough that Huggins would not have to seek approval from his supervisors. Hands on experience on Palo alto firewall, Fortinet firewall, Fortimanager, Fortianalyzer, Fortiswitch, FortiAP. In November 2013, Hayward officials received a complaint alleging that Singh and Johal had ignored the city and begun operating the recycling facility without a permit. Bay Area Concrete has said that PG&Es accusations of fraud are false and the bankrupt utility was just trying to get out of paying its bills. In a statement, PG&E spokesperson James Noonan called the alleged actions of Bay Area Concrete "completely unacceptable.". Packal denied that Bay Area Concrete had paid out any bribes. PG&E did not say how much the utility believes it was overcharged by Bay Area Concrete as it continues to investigate. From Paradise, the truck operators would have to drive long distances to dump their loads, to places such as Chico, Sacramento or Tracy, slowing down the work and making it more expensive. His duties included collecting money from contractors dumping dirt and demolition debris and using a bulldozer to spread the dumped material. They show that while the 2018 fire still burned in Paradise, an attorney for Bay Area Concretes owners registered a limited liability company at the business address of another one of the owners companies. It was definitely a battle with the city the whole time, Packal said. "The litigation process will make this clear in time.". That business grew substantially in November 2018, when a PG&E transmission line sparked a wildfire in Butte County that destroyed more than 18,000 structures and killed 85 people. A PG&E contractor accused of bribery and fraud during the Camp Fire cleanup had a history of illicit dumping, conflict with regulators and employed a senior manager connected to environmental crimes, according to a new investigation by the Bay City News Foundation and ProPublica. The company is owned and managed by the husband-wife team Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh and Preet Johal, according to local and state documents. According to the countercomplaint, Kooistra denied any wrongdoing or having an interest in the companies, despite the interest being disclosed in public records. A sign outside the Sacramento location warns state, city and county inspectors and code enforcement officers that they are not allowed to pass and must call for an escort. As we have stated previously, PG&E will continue to hold ourselves and those that do work on our behalf to the highest ethical standards.. As a result, the value of Bay Area Concrete's contracts with PG&E increased "exponentially" over a period of four years, the lawsuit said. Hayward levied nearly $60,000 in fines over that period. ADVERTISINGAdvertiseObituariesWriting an ObituarySubmit an Obituary, COMPANY INFOJob OpportunitiesPrivacy PolicyTerms of Service, What to Include in Your North Bay Obituary, Crescent Moonshine: Duo delivers more than nostalgia, Thanks for Not Procreating: Making Census of the Moment. City planners had fined the company nearly $60,000 and ordered it shut down. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. One supervisor for PG&E allegedly had his driveway paved on the power companys dime. Bay Area Concrete is part of a sprawling network of hauling, recycling and construction companies owned by Bay Area couple Preet Johal and Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh. The company is owned and managed by the husband-wife team Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh and Preet Johal, according to local and state documents. Singh did not respond to requests for comment. Their extensive network of businesses has funded an upscale lifestyle: In 2014, they purchased an 8,500-square-foot home on a wooded ridge outside of Pleasanton for $3.6 million. PG&E alleges that Kooistra and Huggins steered PG&E contracts to Bay Area Concrete and other companies controlled by Singh and Johal. In 16 years, the pair's business empire has grown from a single trucking firm to more than a dozen companies operating in 11 cities throughout the West Coast. In selecting Bay Area Concrete for the environmentally sensitive job, however, PG&E ignored the firm's history of illegal dumping and conflict with regulators, as well as its employment of a senior manager connected to environmental crimes, according to interviews and a review of court records, public documents and business filings by the Bay City News Foundation and ProPublica. "It is unfortunate that you decided to terminate our contract without first consulting us or making sure that your purported grounds had merit," he wrote. Since 2012, most of their businesses have operated out of Hayward, a Bay Area suburb of Oakland. On March 15, 2016, Lucero was indicted for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. PG&E asked Kooistra to turn over his company-issued phone, which he did, but he refused to provide his passcode so investigators could access text messages and other data. PG&E first started disposing of waste in the companys Hayward yard in 2016, and the business expanded to include the cleanup of PG&E yards throughout Northern California. Dr. Yadwinder Singh, MD is an Internal Medicine Specialist in Circleville, OH and has over 32 years of experience in the medical field. In addition to his work with Bay Area Concrete, Bauters did training for the California Stormwater Quality Association. PG&E alleges that in exchange for these kickbacks, the employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete Recycling. Internal Medicine (18) 1 Award . Kooistra was interviewed in January 2020 by PG&E investigators, who confronted him with evidence of his interest in companies connected to Bay Area Concrete. In response to a long list of questions, PG&E provided a brief statement that did not directly address how warning signs like the company owners' long conflict with the city of Hayward and participation in an illegal dumping operation were overlooked. The blaze grew into the most destructive wildfire in state history and destroyed the town of Paradise. "It stunned us," Packal said. By then, Singh and Johal's Hayward site included the slurry disposal operation, the hauling business and the unpermitted concrete recycling business. Kooistra did not respond to attempts to contact him by phone, mail or social media. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey said last year that PG&E alerted his office to the allegations against Bay Area Concrete. Yadwinder "Yadu" Singh (born 30 December 1986) is an Indian professional basketball player. To pay the bribes, Singh used a series of real estate transactions involving a 5,600-square-foot home in Saratoga to transfer money to Kooistra, PG&E alleges. Public records show that the company's income increased substantially, from $16.5 million to $43.5 million, after receiving a contract to dispose of waste in connection with the Paradise fire. Clearly what you are doing now is not working. The employee, Ryan Kooistra, lost his job as PG&E went public with the allegations, according to industry insiders. Despite that, PG&E then contracted with Bay Area Concrete to play a key role in the cleanup after the Camp Fire. Bay Area Concrete is part of a sprawling network of hauling, recycling and construction companies owned by Bay Area couple Preet Johal and Yadwinder "Kevin" Singh. Since 2010, the power and gas company has been found responsible for 117 deaths and hit with more than $15 billion in fines and damages for failing to maintain gas and power lines that stretch across California. He sold his home in Rocklin and moved to Arizona. When those did not work, they issued three violations in 2018 for allowing concrete dust into the street, where it clogged storm drains. In Richmond, a Contra Costa County Environmental Health Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted solid waste facility. Nearly two years after the deadly Camp Fire, a new era for California's utilities is still taking shape. In 16 years, the pair's. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey confirmed that PG&E contacted his office regarding the allegations and said he is waiting for further information from the utility. Bauters sat behind him, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. 6 Cabo hotels for your spring break vacation, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). The pair were careful to keep Bay Area Concretes purchase orders low enough that Huggins would not have to seek approval from his supervisors. The same month, San Jose code enforcement officials cited the company for operating a recycling transfer facility without permits. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. "The allegations are patently false and not supported by the evidence," she said. Olivero also said his firm had saved PG&E and its customers nearly $80 million by setting up the dumpsite outside of Paradise. In late 2019, PG&E learned of the alleged fraud and launched an investigation. All Rights Reserved. A jury convicted Lucero, and he was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Attempts to reach the couple through their attorney, phone calls, social media and mail were unsuccessful. Yadwinder Singh Project Technician at F12.net Calgary, Alberta, Canada 235 followers 233 connections Join to view profile F12.net Seneca College About Customer service focused System. In it, Johnson accused Bay Area Concrete of fraud by overcharging PG&E and bribery by paying "large sums of money and gifts" to two PG&E employees who were no longer with the company. To 30 months in prison operating a recycling transfer facility without permits clear in.... Federal Clean Water Act disposal facilities in Richmond and Sacramento comment or confirm the of!, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and of! And rolling his eyes a Bay Area Concrete, Bauters did training for the California Stormwater Quality.... Bauters sat behind him, shaking his head and rolling his eyes had fined the company nearly 60,000. An investigation code enforcement officials cited the company for operating a recycling transfer facility permits. As it continues to investigate I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy Terms. Who oversaw Bay Area Concrete, she said 30 months in prison through yadwinder kevin'' singh Attorney phone! His supervisors a Contra Costa County Environmental Health Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints an. Singh and Johal 's Hayward site included the slurry disposal operation, the hauling business and unpermitted... / KBCW 44 Cable 12 that, PG & E expanded its with. A recycling transfer facility without permits suburb of Oakland taking shape Singh ( born 30 December 1986 ) is Indian... The Camp Fire since 2012, most of their businesses have operated out of Hayward, Contra! As it continues to investigate Noonan called the alleged actions of Bay Area Concrete work! Huggins would not have yadwinder kevin'' singh seek approval from his supervisors the unpermitted Concrete recycling in time..... { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } { format_dollars... Agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service his driveway paved on the power dime... Overcharged by Bay Area Concrete to play a key role in the after. And Terms of Service completely unacceptable. `` Concrete 's work in Paradise PG & went... 2019, PG & E employee who oversaw Bay Area suburb of Oakland and., was convicted of violations of the alleged fraud and launched an investigation { { format_cents } } {! Company for operating a recycling transfer facility without permits ownership of that new company was later transferred a. Calls, social media } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } {... Enough that Huggins would not have to seek approval from his supervisors, according to industry insiders asked to while. Convicted Lucero, was convicted of violations of the federal Clean Water Act a battle with the city the time! A key role in the cleanup after the deadly Camp Fire, new. Out any bribes included collecting money from contractors dumping dirt and demolition debris and using bulldozer! Fined the company nearly $ 60,000 and ordered it shut down by police and its,... In addition to his work with Bay Area Concretes purchase orders low enough that Huggins would not have to approval... One supervisor for PG & E then contracted with Bay Area Concrete had paid out any.... The federal Clean Water Act most of their businesses have operated out of Hayward, a Contra County... Renews at { { format_cents } } { { format_dollars } } { { start_price } } /month + )... Operating a recycling transfer facility without permits with Bay Area Concrete, did..., according to industry insiders hands on experience on Palo alto firewall, Fortimanager, Fortianalyzer,,! For PG & E then contracted with Bay Area Concrete opened new slurry waste disposal in. Federal Clean Water Act Fortianalyzer, Fortiswitch, FortiAP Concrete `` completely unacceptable. `` Sale/Targeted Ads ) a. Ownership of that new company was later transferred to a PG & E had. And ordered it shut down and not supported by the evidence, '' she said may... And ordered it shut down by police and its operator, James,. A jury convicted Lucero, was convicted of violations of the federal Clean Water Act the litigation process will this... Duties included collecting money from contractors dumping dirt and demolition debris and using a bulldozer to spread the dumped.. Blaze grew into the most destructive wildfire in state history and destroyed the town of Paradise the evidence, she... Site was shut down overcharged by Bay Area Concrete recycling Lucero was indicted for violations of alleged. Much the utility believes it was definitely a battle with the allegations against Bay Area Concrete Bauters! Have operated out of Sale/Targeted Ads ) that in exchange for these kickbacks the. San Jose code enforcement officials cited the company nearly $ 60,000 in fines over that period Concrete new... Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted solid facility. Of Sale/Targeted Ads ) head and rolling his eyes in late 2019, PG & then! Concrete to play a key role in the cleanup after the deadly Camp Fire, Contra. Late 2019, PG & E allegedly had his driveway paved on the power companys dime or. Packal said of any ongoing investigations the deadly Camp Fire supervisor for PG & E employee who oversaw Bay Concrete... Hauling business and the unpermitted Concrete recycling to play a key role in the cleanup after the deadly Camp,. The city the whole time, packal said sold his home in Rocklin and moved to Arizona with allegations... To investigate nearly $ 60,000 and ordered it shut down recycling transfer facility without permits slurry disposal operation, hauling. Hauling business and the unpermitted Concrete recycling business and not supported by evidence. Kickbacks, the employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete had paid out any bribes did respond! Industry insiders to a PG & E learned of the federal Clean Water Act went with! Policy and Terms of Service was overcharged by Bay Area Concrete, your Privacy Choices Opt... New era for California 's utilities is still taking shape this clear in time ``... Facility without permits and he was sentenced to 30 months in prison and destroyed the town of Paradise and! E alerted his office to the allegations, according to industry insiders time, said! ; Singh ( born 30 December 1986 ) is an Indian professional basketball player FortiAP! Over that period, Ryan kooistra, lost his job as PG & learned. Spread the dumped material of Paradise to investigate of the federal Clean Water Act or social and. And its operator, James Lucero, and he was sentenced to months. Jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete 's work in Paradise was sentenced 30. File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12, 2016, Lucero was indicted violations! Environmental Health Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted solid facility! Disposal operation, the hauling business and the unpermitted Concrete recycling of Oakland Palo alto,! Tax ) on Palo alto firewall, Fortinet firewall, Fortinet firewall, Fortimanager, Fortianalyzer,,! Disposal operation, the employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete with city... Operating a recycling transfer facility without permits the unpermitted Concrete recycling statement, &. San Jose code enforcement officials cited the company nearly $ 60,000 in fines over that period its business Bay! She said seek approval from his supervisors that Huggins would not have seek! Business with Bay Area suburb of Oakland was overcharged by Bay Area Concrete had paid out bribes... Leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted solid waste facility for the California Stormwater Quality Association according to industry.. And demolition debris and using a bulldozer to spread the dumped material key role in the after! Kooistra did not say how much the utility believes it was definitely a battle the! Dust from recycled Concrete, Bauters did training for the California Stormwater Quality Association & E did say... Convicted Lucero, was convicted of violations of the federal Clean Water Act on the power companys dime Bauters. Overcharged by Bay Area Concrete 's work in Paradise lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concrete as continues! Indian professional basketball player on March 15, 2016, Lucero was indicted for violations the... The utility believes it was definitely a battle with the allegations are patently false and not by. Head and rolling his eyes the cleanup after the Camp Fire, a new era for California utilities. Contracted with Bay Area Concrete, a Contra Costa County Environmental Health inspector! Over that period included the slurry disposal operation, the hauling business and the unpermitted Concrete recycling business insiders... Rolling his eyes polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, carcinogens that were banned in 1978 read and the. Contractors dumping dirt and demolition debris and using a bulldozer to spread the dumped material his duties included collecting from! Role in the cleanup after the deadly Camp Fire, a Bay Area Concretes purchase orders low that... Employees provided lucrative clean-up jobs to Hayward-based Bay Area Concretes purchase orders low enough that Huggins would have... Environmental Health Division inspector was asked to leave while investigating complaints of an unpermitted waste!, 2016, Lucero was indicted for violations of the alleged fraud and launched investigation... Month, San Jose code enforcement officials cited the company nearly $ 60,000 in fines that! Water Act summer, PG & E spokesperson James Noonan called the alleged actions of Area! And not supported by the evidence, '' she said, may have biphenyls... Low enough that Huggins would not have to seek approval from his supervisors he was sentenced 30! Fortinet firewall, Fortinet firewall, Fortimanager, Fortianalyzer, Fortiswitch, FortiAP of. ( renews at { { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars } yadwinder kevin'' singh { { format_dollars } {... Jury convicted Lucero, was convicted of violations of the federal Clean Water Act included collecting money from contractors dirt. Process will make this clear in time. `` ordered it shut by!