New York City seized 46 ice cream trucks which allegedly racked up nearly $4.5 million in traffic violations and then evaded the fines by using shell corporations.
The sweeping sting operation, dubbed “Operation Meltdown,” began Wednesday and targeted the operators of the ice cream trucks. According to a press release from the city, the small group of operators received 22,000 summonses between 2009 and 2017.
To evade the fines, the operators allegedly used dozens of shell companies to re-register the vehicles with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Many of the summonses came from dangerous infractions, like running red lights, parking near fire hydrants, and blocking pedestrian crosswalks.
“No New Yorker is above the law — especially those who try to ignore public safety laws and create dangerous situations for pedestrians, bikers and drivers,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a Wednesday statement.
“For years, these owners have ignored public safety laws and have driven dangerously in one of the busiest areas of the city. This seizure marks the end of the road for these scofflaw ice cream vendors,” he added.
The city’s lawsuit targets the “worst offenders,” operators with more than $10,000 in unpaid fines or judgments.
