News Former FMCSA Border Investigator Pleads Guilty to Extortion

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In a shocking turn of events, a former Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) border investigator, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to a charge of extortion under color of law. The 54-year-old Texas resident faces up to 20 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2023. Let’s take a closer look at the case and what truckers should know about this situation.


Gorena's Actions & Admissions​


According to authorities, when auditing a trucking company, Gorena failed to report safety violations that would have exposed the company to potential fines and loss of their DOT license. In return for his silence, Gorena demanded $3,500. He was eventually caught by an undercover agent posing as a representative from a trucking company accepting $2,000 in cash as payment for his silence.

Implications for Truckers & Trucking Companies​


The case against Patrick Gorena serves as an important reminder to truckers and trucking companies that they must remain vigilant when dealing with FMCSA border investigators and other government officials regarding their operations and compliance standards. While most government officials are honest and trustworthy individuals who are dedicated to enforcing regulations fairly and ensuring safety on our roads and highways, there are some bad actors out there who may use their positions for personal gain or unlawful purposes.

It is essential that all parties involved in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations understand their rights according to federal laws governing CMV transportations so that they can detect any instances of abuse or misconduct by government officials or others in positions of authority over transportation companies or drivers. That includes understanding your rights during roadside inspections, being familiar with state-specific rules pertaining to CMV transportations, and knowing how best to respond if you ever find yourself in the position where you feel your rights have been violated by any official or entity involved with regulating CMV operations.

The case against Patrick Gorena serves as an important reminder that drivers must remain vigilant when dealing with government officials regarding their operations and compliance standards. It is essential that all parties involved in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations understand their rights according to federal laws governing CMV transportations so that they can detect any instances of abuse or misconduct by government officials or others in positions of authority over transportation companies or drivers. While no one wants this type of behavior from anyone working in law enforcement it does happen and proper education surrounding legal rights is essential for all CMV operators going forward. With proper education surrounding legal rights hopefully similar cases won't occur again anytime soon!
 
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