Job coaching rip-off nonetheless working after being ordered to cease

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HOUSTON – We’ve an replace on a KPRC 2 undercover investigation we’ve been following for months now.

Our crew first uncovered a Houston enterprise charging job seekers for pretend forklift coaching. The Texas legal professional basic seized their property and ordered them to cease working. However our crew has discovered persons are nonetheless shedding cash and the person on the heart of the investigation is dodging authorities and our cameras.

KPRC2 Undercover Investigation replace: Firm Southwest Forklift accused of charging for pretend forklift coaching, even after being ordered to cease. We’re nonetheless listening to complaints from individuals who misplaced cash. (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Complaints in opposition to firm began 8 years in the past

Complaints in opposition to Southwest Forklift and its misleading enterprise practices date all the way in which again to 2014. So when the Texas legal professional basic bought a restraining order in opposition to the corporate and its house owners in July, individuals tricked out of their cash all these years had been relieved.

However not so fast– KPRC 2 Investigates remains to be listening to from individuals who say Southwest Forklift is as much as the identical tips we uncovered final fall. The corporate sends out emails and textual content messages claiming to be from huge corporations like Coca-Cola and promising great-paying jobs.

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“The largest spotlight was $18.25 an hour,” stated Donovan Selman.

Richmond dad Donovan Selman was searching for an additional job final 12 months.

“I simply occurred to get an e-mail from Coca-Cola,” he stated.

The message learn, “The forklift place you may have utilized for is accessible. 98% assured.”

To acquire the job it’s essential to turn out to be OSHA licensed. That certification coaching will value you $80, however you’ll be reimbursed instantly at your job orientation on the identical day. Selman adopted the instructions and drove to Southwest Forklift on West Hardy close to Hardy Toll Street. He paid $80, watched a video, then bought a small card that stated he was licensed to function a forklift.

KPRC2 Undercover Investigation replace: Firm Southwest Forklift accused of charging for pretend forklift coaching, even after being ordered to cease. We’re nonetheless listening to complaints from individuals who misplaced cash. (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Whereas the identify of the corporate is Southwest Forklift, there was by no means a forklift in sight.

“No forklifts and that was an enormous flag,” stated Selman.

A crimson flag for dozens of people that filed complaints with the Higher Enterprise Bureau and on-line as a result of after the brief coaching there have been no jobs.

Our undercover investigation noticed job coaching firsthand

KPRC 2 Investigates went undercover to see the job coaching for ourselves. We discovered an enormous crimson OSHA brand within the workplace. The AG now says shouldn’t be displayed as a result of Southwest Forklift has no affiliation with OSHA.

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A girl named Roxanne Rodriguez is called on this restraining order that prohibits her and proprietor Sergio Hernandez from promoting, working, working for, or collaborating in any enterprise that gives or advertises forklift operator coaching. The state seized the corporate’s property that whole $350,000.

Firm nonetheless working after being ordered to cease

However one month later, we bought extra emails from job seekers who say they fell for a similar trick. This time the corporate instructed them they needed to pay in money and the coaching is now $120. Once we stopped by the West Hardy location the door was locked and nobody answered after we knocked.

Once we stopped by Southwest Forklift to ask concerning the accusations in opposition to the corporate, nobody was round. We did see a digital camera monitoring system that confirmed somebody is keeping track of issues. (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)

Based on courtroom paperwork, nobody is answering when authorities attempt to serve proprietor Sergio Hernandez at his residence in California. They’ve made 4 makes an attempt to date.

So what occurs subsequent?

A decide has discovered Roxanne Rodriguez in contempt of courtroom and stated she can be fined $2,000 a day for day-after-day she violates these orders. A listening to is about for Oct. 28. We’ll let you recognize what occurs.

Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.