CARLSBAD - The owner of a Carlsbad car detailing company fined $10,000 for not being registered with the state of California said Wednesday that he was "appalled" at the surprise inspection that shut down his business and is fighting to clear his company's good name and reputation.
Waxx It Automotive Detailing Inc. was among 18 car washes and auto detailing businesses in San Diego County and 103 statewide fined a total of nearly $1 million for failing to register their businesses or other employee labor violations, the California Labor Commissioner's Office announced Monday.
The fines, which ranged from $500 to $10,000, were the result of a two- day enforcement sweep of car washes around the state Oct. 28-29. "Requiring car wash businesses to register with the state allows us to focus on those businesses that undercut their competition, which makes it difficult for legitimate car wash businesses to stay in operation," said Angela Bradstreet, California's labor commissioner.
Waxx It's owner, Anthony DeSantis, said he told inspectors he was never notified he had to be registered and was given no chance to remedy the situation.
"I'm just appalled right now," DeSantis said. "I find it to be a little bit harsh."
DeSantis said he is a "good person" who has been in the same location next to Hoehn Motors in Car Country Carlsbad for the past 16 years.
"I've obeyed every law that I've ever had to," DeSantis said."I'm losing money every day. We've been closed down."
DeSantis said his employees, including a woman who has been with him 13 years, are calling daily to see if they can come back to work.
The owner said he was trying to get into compliance and back to work as quickly as possible.
