You know the saying: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.'” A Las Vegas woman found out the hard way just how much the government does to keep itself in business:
Delinda Epstein, 51, was living in a townhouse in the swanky Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, a few years ago. She owned a brand new truck, worked as an administrator for a Henderson construction company.
But she lost her job in the recession. She lost her truck and had to move into a smaller apartment in a less fancy neighborhood.
Hunting around for income, she placed an Online ad on Craigslist in August: “Are you looking to spend less time cleaning, shopping and running errands or any of the small minute things that interrupt your busy schedule/life? I can help!” Transportation was one of the services offered.
She received a call from Richie, a businessman who said he needed to arrange a ride from McCarran International Airport to Rhodes Ranch. The two agreed on a $30 fee.
On Sept. 3, she pulled up to the curb at passenger pick-up, driving her 2006 Hyundai Elantra, which she had bought through a second-chance financing business.
But “Richie” wasn’t interested in a ride. He was an undercover agent with the county Transportation Authority, which sees its job in part as protecting licensed taxi and limousine operators from unlicensed competition.
As “Richie” settled in the passenger seat, a badge-bearing colleague knocked on Epstein’s window.