NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Evgeny “Gene” Freidman and four taxicab companies owned in part by him will pay more than $250,000 in fines, damages and restitution for allegedly violating taxi drivers’ rights and breaking a 2013 settlement agreement, New York Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman announced.
“No one is above the law and my office will continue to take action to protect the rights of hard-working New Yorkers,” Schneiderman said. “Taxicab drivers play a critical role throughout New York City, and their earnings should not be squeezed by taxi companies which own or manage medallions.”
In 2013, Freidman and his companies agreed to a settlement worth $1.2 million in fines and restitution for drivers who were allegedly overcharged by Freidman. Freidman and his companies paid most of the penalties, but purportedly breached the settlement by failing to pay taxi drivers their earned credit card fares in a timely manner.
“Taxicab drivers are among the hardest working New Yorkers, and it is unthinkable that someone would take advantage of them,” Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi said. “But the actions we’re announcing today will send the loudest possible message that we take driver protection extremely seriously, and that if you’re cheating your drivers, we will find out and hold you accountable.”