one man’s fight against...
TRANSCRIPT
ONE MAN’S FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
The Series - Episode Twenty One
Corruption in the Las Vegas
Taxi Cab Industry
By James R. Aymann
Sgt. James R. Aymann
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Lidia Siljak
A 68-year-old woman’s lone
crusade against corruption in
the Las Vegas Taxi Cab
Industry and in Nevada State
Government
March 2016 - by “James R. Aymann”
3 To begin with, this writer will establish that the Taxi Cab Industry in
Las Vegas may be the most corrupt in the USA, that state government in
Nevada may be the most corrupt in the USA and that the culture of Las Vegas
may be the most predatory and corrupt in the USA!
If you were to Google “Corruption in the Taxicab Companies of Las
Vegas”, you would get 548,000 entries and an endless series of articles on
the subject!
In the first article it is stated, “At the company that I worked for we
would run an average of around $200,000-$300,000 through our cashier’s
cage daily, well beyond the company’s overhead.”
“In fact, each taxicabs operating expenses are already covered before
the driver puts the key in the ignition due to the advertising revenue from the
signage adorning the cab.”
In the third article it is stated, “Southern Nevada Taxi Companies
took advantage of their customers to the tune of $47 million in
unnecessary fuel surcharges and overpriced credit card fees.” (ONE
YEAR)
In the 17th
article it is stated, “Drop all charges against whistleblower
Nevada Taxicab Authority Investigator Joe Morgan charged after exposing
local government corruption taking place between the Nevada Taxicab
Authority and Taxicab Companies!”
… and the beat goes on!
Now in assessing the level of corruption in Nevada State
Government please consider the findings of the “STATE INTEGRITY
INVESTIGATION.”
Requests for Investigations
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This multimillion dollar independent investigation graded
all 50 states.
Nevada received a failing grade of “F” and is fifth from the
bottom amongst all 50 states!
To be blunt, Nevada industry in conjunction with Nevada
government at all levels is a labyrinthine sewer of corruption and
deception draining into a cesspool and that cesspool are the Nevada
courts at all levels!
Nevada industry upper management and the top officials of
Nevada government get out of the same bed in the morning!
Are you getting the picture yet?
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“LONG HAULING” “Long hauling” is the predatory practice of taxicab drivers
intentionally deceiving tourists and other unsuspecting passengers by
running up the meter by any means possible!
These deceptions include intentionally taking a longer route or
intentionally driving through road construction or any other means to
intentionally run up the meter!
Countless articles support claims that Las Vegas taxi drivers are
heavily pressured and intimidated by upper management of all 16 Las
Vegas cab companies to cheat their passengers!
This is a lame excuse!
Cabdrivers that cheat their passengers in any way are two-bit con
artists, end of story!
However, this writer feels a heartfelt empathy towards honest cab
drivers that were fired because they did not cheat passengers and were
unable to generate enough money to fulfill minimum quotas!
This empathy extends to those cabdrivers that fulfill this minimum
quota by including their tips.
They are literally working for less than minimum wage!
These Las Vegas Cab Companies are managed by manipulative,
unscrupulous and deceptive individuals.
The Whittlesea Cab Company/Henderson Cab Company of Las Vegas
posts instructions on how to “long -haul” passengers on their walls!
Lidia Siljak maintains that she has never cheated her passengers.
She had a following of passengers that would expressly call her
for a ride.
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LIDIA SILJAK’S WRONGFUL TERMINATION
Lidia worked as a cab driver for Whittlesea/Henderson Cab
Company in Las Vegas, Nevada between October 28, 2011 and July 26,
2014.
On July 26, 2014 Lidia had a very minor scrape on the right front
quarter panel of the vehicle that she was operating in the company garage
PHOTO TAKEN BY LIDIA SILJAK
Please note, this “damage” is so minor that the application of a
rubbing compound and buffing should have resolved this “damage.”
At the most color sanding and buffing should have resolved this
“damage.”
Lidia immediately reported the accident to the dispatcher and
subsequently to Road Supervisor A. Hemenway who immediately filled out
an accident report.
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Lidia took a photo of the “damage” with her cell phone in the
presence of the Mr. Hemenway who subsequently suspended her
according to standard operational procedure of Whittlesea/Henderson
Cab Company.
Lidia requested a TAXICAB AUTHORITY officer to be called to
the scene.
He described the vehicle damage as so minor it would be
unwarranted.
Two days later Lidia went to see Whittlesea/Henderson Company
Operations Manager Jim Lysengen.
Lidia signed the accident report taking responsibility for the
“damage” to the vehicle.
Lidia maintains that:
Lysengen then informed Lidia that the “damage” had a $500
deductible and that she would be charged over $400 for the
“damage.”
She was shocked and requested another appraisal and again
asked for a TAXICAB AUTHORITY officer to be called!
Whittlesea/Henderson Cab Company General Manager Cheryl Knapp
also attempted to force Lidia to sign a statement quoting the
“damage” at $500.
This was all transpiring in the presence of Jim Lysengen.
She refused to sign the statement.
Knapp immediately followed with another handwritten quote of
$460 in Lidia’s presence!
She also refused to sign that statement!
Knapp ordered Lidia to leave the office and not to come back!
Knapp turned to Lysengen and said, “Jim, you are my witness
that she has refused to sign this statement.
Knapp stated, “By company policy, she has to sign this statement,
so I have no choice but to terminate her employment!”
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She was two months short of receiving her safety bonus, shift bonus
and vacation time as regulated by the United States Department of
Labor!
She was fired!
Lidia immediately went to the Las Vegas office of the NEVADA
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY to submit a
complaint.
Lidia also had a meeting with TAXICAB AUTHORITY
Administrator Charles Harvey.
Lidia insisted that a TAXICAB AUTHORITY representative be
appointed to make a report after inspecting the vehicle.
Harvey promised to speak with Whittlesea/Henderson Cab
Company management.
Lidia also informed Harvey regarding written instructions posted in
the “Drivers Room” at Whittlesea/Henderson Cab Company encouraging
the drivers on how and when to “long-haul” passengers!
Harvey indicated to Lidia that he was aware of the posted letter of
instructions!
Harvey deliberately avoided complying with Lidia’s request!
The NEVADA TAXICAB AUTHORITY is still another example of
the rampant corruption that is pervasive throughout Nevada State
Agencies and their corresponding officials!
Please note, the TAXICAB AUTHORITY is part of the Nevada
Department of Business and Industry headed by Bruce Breslow an
appointee of Governor Brian Sandoval.
Lidia feels that this system is completely unjust and corrupt!
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According to Lidia, cab drivers are charged for gas, daily shift and
trip charges and cab companies report net income and not gross income to
the IRS!
Cab drivers are not paid minimum wage or overtime.
In the two years and 10 months that Lidia worked for
Whittlesea/Henderson Cab Company, she was never late and never had
an accident!
The TAXICAB AUTHORITY in Las Vegas has stated that drivers
could work up to 12 hours.
The taxi cab companies in Las Vegas, Nevada have made a 12 hour
shift mandatory!
Drivers are not allowed to have lunch breaks during working hours!
CHERYL KNAPP
An article in the Las Vegas Review Journal indicates that:
“The managers at these Las Vegas cab companies put tremendous
pressure on the drivers to rip off the customers.”
“The managers don’t explicitly fire the drivers for not “long hauling”
the customers, but invent other reasons to rid themselves of the
“unproductive” driver.”
“The owners and upper management of these companies are very well
connected politically and essentially dictate to the Taxicab Authority how it
operates.”
Cheryl Knapp is the General Manager of the Whittlesea/Henderson
Cab Company in Las Vegas Nevada.
Jim Lysengen is the Operation Manager of the Whittlesea/Henderson
Cab Company in Las Vegas Nevada.
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NEVADA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DIVISION
Under oath, Lidia gave her statement indicating that she did not
refuse to take responsibility for the “damage” on the vehicle and that the
amount presented to her by Cheryl Knapp was $460 and that when she
requested another appraisal she was fired!
Under Oath Cheryl Knapp of Whittlesea/Henderson Cab Company
indicated that Lidia refused to agree to pay the amount of $278.51 for the
“damages” and that she was not fired!
Also note, Lidia insists that the first time she saw the amount of
$278.51 was in documents 15 minutes prior to the hearing!
Lydia Siljak indicated to this writer that she would have reluctantly
agreed to pay $278.51!
SOMEONE IS LYING!
On September 22, 2014 REFEREE SCOTT LARSEN of the
NEVADA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DIVISION denied Lidia’s
eligibility for unemployment benefits and a letter of this denial was never
mailed to Lidia!
Lidia had to personally pick up a copy of the letter of denial!
Please note, these denials by the NEVADA EMPLOYMENT
SECURITY DIVISION are virtually 100%!
REFEREE SCOTT LARSEN is just another cog that is part of the
gross corruption that is the NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY!
Lidia Siljak vehemently maintains that:
the Adjudicator of the Employment Security Division, first
name Rochelle, incorrectly indicated that Lidia stated that
she was discharged for refusing to take financial
responsibility for an accident!
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she received a bizarre telephone call from “Nathan” of the
Nevada Employment Security Division whereby he threatened
to have Lidia arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department for audio taping Cheryl Knapp and Jim Lysengen
(false statement) then hung up the phone!
she immediately called the Nevada Employment Security
Division and was connected to Barbara Taylor
this individual listened to what Lidia had to say and
indicated that there would be an investigation. (another
sham)
NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Lidia reported the situation in writing to Bruce Breslow Director of
the Nevada Department of Business and Industry and to Nevada Governor
Brian Sandoval
Please note, Bruce Breslow was appointed by Governor Brian
Sandoval.
Lidia maintains that Sandra (Sandy) Anderson, executive assistant to
Bruce Breslow asked Lidia what her nationality was!
Lidia also maintains that Sandra Anderson threatened Lidia with
an arrest by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department if she ever
called again!
Nevada Department of Public Safety/Capitol Police Report
On February 16, 2016 at 8 AM Officer A. E. Montero of the Nevada
Capitol Police called Lidia and stated that he wanted to come to her home to
talk.
Lidia indicated that she preferred to go to his office.
Lidia met Officer A.E. Montero and Sgt. Bill West at the Nevada
State building at 11 AM that same day.
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Officer Montero indicated to Lidia that he had been ordered by
Director Bruce Breslow of the Nevada Department of Business and
Industry and Brian Sandoval Governor of the State of Nevada to have
Lidia stop contacting all governmental agencies involving issues in this
case.
At this point Lidia handed Sgt. Bill West two letters that included
detailed accounts involving the rampant corruption in the Nevada Taxi
cab Industry in their involvement with the Nevada State Government!
These letters were originally mailed to Bruce Breslow and Brian
Sandoval on November 8, 2014, 15 months earlier!
In the hallway Lidia asked for their business cards.
Officer A.E. Montero handed Lidia a business card with a case
#16C000145 written on the card.
Lidia noticed the case number written on the business card and
contacted Sgt. Bill West the next day to inquire about the case number that
had not been discussed at the meeting!
On March 10, 2016, Lidia received a phone call from Officer
Montero indicating that a police report was ready to be picked up from Sgt.
Bill West.
The following day Lidia went to the Nevada State Building and asked
to speak with Sgt. Bill West.
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The officer at the reception counter asked Lidia to wait and he
subsequently handed Lidia a police report.
This “police report” was prepared by Officer A. E. Montero and he
indicated that he was submitting an application for Lidia’s arrest to the
Clark County District Attorney’s Office!
Lidia contacted this writer on her cell phone and related the subject
matter on this police report.
This writer instructed Lidia to come directly to his home and not to
talk to anyone.
This writer had just left his website builders office to post this website.
This writer contacted his website builder and indicated that there was a
new issue that needed to be updated on the website and to postpone posting
it.
The following day Lidia and this writer met with Mr. Rolando Larraz,
owner of the Las Vegas Tribune.
They spoke with Mr. Larraz for three hours!
Two days later, Lidia spoke on the Las Vegas Tribune Radio
Station.
Lidia fluently went into detail describing the various threats and
harassment that she has been subjected to at the hands of Nevada State
Government!
Anyone listening to this broadcast could easily determine that Lidia is
not delusional or paranoid or in need of “mental health services” as
indicated by “Officer” A.E. Montero of the Nevada Capitol Police!
That same night, this writer completed this update and will once
again submit this website to his builder for posting.
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The last two sentences of this police report states:
“It is my opinion that Siljak would benefit from mental health assistance
for possible issues with delusions and paranoia.”
“I will submit for an arrest warrant for NRS 201.255 obscene,
threatening or annoying telephone calls.”
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This Writer’s Assessment
The harassment and threats that Lidia Siljak has been
subjected at the hands of Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and his
appointee Director of the Nevada Department of Business and
Industry Bruce Breslow and their underlings is a complete and
total disgrace and has distinct shades of Nazi Germany and
Stalinist Russia!
Furthermore, letters of apology from these Nevada State
Agencies en masse to Lidia Siljak are in order!
When taking into consideration my personal knowledge and
experience in dealing with the rampant corruption that exists in the
Nevada private sector and in Nevada government, I have to say that
I believe that Lidia Siljak is telling the absolute truth.
Lidia went on to file a Petition for Judicial Review in Proper
Person and that petition was denied!
Subsequently Lidia went on to file an Appeal in Proper
Person with the Supreme Court of Nevada and that appeal was
dismissed!
In my conversations with Lidia it became clear that she is a
staunch advocate of cab driver’s rights in Las Vegas.
Lidia is a highly intelligent woman, but this intelligence is
possibly masked by her European accent.
I wish her the absolute best, she deserves it.
All others, I wish a swift voyage to the infernal domain.
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EXHIBIT 44
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LIDIA SILJAK
SAME PHOTO IN
THE COURTHOUSE RECORDS
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Requests for Investigations
Tags
Lidia Siljak, 68-year-old woman, Las Vegas taxi industry, Nevada state
government, corruption, cover-up, agent provocateur, USA, corrupt,
predatory, corruption in the taxicab companies of Las Vegas,
unnecessary fuel sub-charges, overpriced credit card fees, Nevada
Taxicab Authority investigator Joe Morgan, corruption in Nevada state
government, state integrity investigation, public access to information,
political financing, electoral-oversight, judicial accountability,
procurement, internal auditing, lobbying disclosure, ethics enforcement
agencies, multi-million-dollar independent investigation, failing grade,
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deception, cesspool, Nevada courts at all levels, Nevada industry
upper management, top officials of Nevada government, long
hauling, predatory practice, intentionally deceiving tourists,
running up the meter, taking a longer route, heavily pressured,
intimidated by upper management, cheat the passengers, honest
cabdrivers, fulfill minimum quotas, minimum wage, manipulative,
unscrupulous, deceptive, Whittlesea Cab Company, Henderson
Cab Company, how to long-haul passengers, Road Supervisor
A. Hemenway, accident report, standard operational procedure,
Nevada Taxicab Authority, Operations Manager, Jim Lysengen,
General Manager, Cheryl Knapp, company policy, terminate her
employment, safety bonus, shift bonus, vacation time, United
States Department of Labor, fired, terminated, Nevada
Department of Business and Industry, Taxicab Authority
Administrator Charles Harvey, Nevada State Agencies, Nevada
State Officials, Bruce Breslow, Brian Sandoval, unjust, charged
for gas, pay trip charges, not paid minimum wage, not paid for
overtime, 12 hour shift mandatory, tremendous pressure, rip off
the customers, owners and upper management, well connected
politically, Nevada Employment Security Division, appraisal,
“someone is lying”, referee Scott Larsen, denials are virtually
100%, Rochelle, Adjudicator, Nevada Employment Security
Division, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Barbara
Taylor, Sandra Anderson, Executive Assistant to Bruce Breslow,
threats, threatening, personal knowledge, dealing with the
rampant corruption, Nevada private sector, absolute truth,
Nevada Department of Labor, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
petition for judicial review, proper person, denial, appeal to the
Supreme Court of Nevada, dismissed, net income instead of gross
income, Nevada DPS Capitol Police, Officer A.E. Montero, Sgt.
Bill West, Nevada State Governor, Clark County District
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Attorney’s Office, Rolando Larraz, Las Vegas Tribune, radio
station, Michelle Metivier, Lieta Brown, Elena Beck, vandalism,
Barbara Webb, mental health assistance, delusions, paranoia,
arrest warrant, NRS 201.255, obscene, threatening, annoying,
telephone calls, Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, Sgt. Martin J.
Roberto.
Jim Aymann and Tracy – “time flies”
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