Washington, DC – Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today that a District of Columbia Superior Court Judge has issued a civil contempt order stopping Maryland-based WorldWide Moving and Storage from continuing to do business in the District. 

 

Judge Patricia A. Broderick found WorldWide’s manager, Melvin Yates, in contempt of court for violating a December 23, 2004 judgment in a consumer protection enforcement action brought by the District.  The judgment required Yates, as a condition to operating a local moving company in the District, to make disclosures to prospective clarifying moving charges and coverages for loss and damage to obtain a surety bond for their protection. For background on the case, select the archived news release below:

The contempt order prohibits WorldWide and Yates from conducting any moving or storage business in the District unless and until the court finds that they are prepared to operate consistently with the surety bond requirement.

 

Judge Broderick issued the contempt order after determining that WorldWide was managed and controlled by Yates. 

 

“An order by the Court should not be considered optional instructions to a party in a suit,” said General Spagnoletti.  “My office actively monitors compliance with the Court’s orders in consumer protection is prepared to prosecute those who would evade or disregard these orders.”

 

Consumers with questions about the contempt order may call the Attorney General’s hotline at 442-9828.