On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Judge Shana Frost Matini ordered Empower, to cease operations until it registers with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles as a for-hire service. Empower had been previously ordered by DFHV to cease operations and has racked up millions of dollars in fines.
Councilmember Nadeau issued the following statement Tuesday night:
“The judge has confirmed what was plain from the start. Empower is a ride-hailing company and must follow the rules of ride-hailing companies. What’s most important here is that riders and drivers will be protected from the unscrupulous practices of a business that thought it should be unaccountable to anyone.
“The Committee on Public Works, which has oversight of the Department of For-Hire Vehicles, and which I chair, will continue our investigation.
“Thank you to D.C. Attorney General Schwalb for prosecuting to uphold the authority of the Department of For-Hire Vehicles and its cease and desist order.”