Summary

On April 4, 2016, Christopher Pender, a third party commercial driver’s license (CDL) examiner, was charged in U.S. District Court, Shreveport, LA, for making and using a false writing and document by accepting cash payments from various CDL test applicants in lieu of administering the test. In exchange for the cash payments, Pender provided these applicants with a Commercial Driver’s Skills Test Certificate, falsely certifying that the individual successfully completed the mandated CDL skills test, when in fact, the individual had not taken any such test. 

The investigation revealed that on or about November 2, 2014, Pender, in exchange for a cash payment, gave a CDL test applicant a Commercial Driver’s Skills Test Certificate indicating that the applicant completed the mandated CDL skills test for a CDL, when in fact, the applicant had not taken and passed the federally required test. The false certificate was provided to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicles, and was used to fraudulently obtain a CDL. 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Louisiana State Police, with assistance from FMCSA and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicles.

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.