Source: Washington Post
“A judge recently said she would begin reinstating fines, which have ballooned to the millions, against a local ride-hailing company and its CEO for failing to comply with an order to stop operating in the District. The decision comes after an appellate panel earlier this month rejected an effort to pause the judge’s contempt proceedings against Empower and chief executive Joshua Sear. … The city’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles issued a cease-and-desist order that year against the company for failing to register as a private sedan business and digital dispatch service, according to court filings. Empower applied to register with the department in December 2020 but was denied after the city deemed the applications incomplete, the filings said. Matini ordered Empower to cease operations in 2024 until the company successfully registers with the city.” (02/25/26)