Emissions fraud not slowing in Travis County, authorities say

KXAN, By Matt Grant, August 15, 2024

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than a year after KXAN began investigating fraudulent emissions inspections, and after we joined law enforcement as they went undercover for a sting at the Travis County Tax Office last November, authorities say the polluting problem is only getting worse.

“Every day in Travis County, the tax office receives fraudulent vehicle inspection reports,” said Sgt. Jose Escribano with the Travis County Constable Office Pct. 3 Clean Air Task Force, who said bogus inspections can be bought for around $100 online.

While vehicle safety inspections are going away next year, emissions tests in 17 counties, including Travis, are not. Testifying at the Travis County Commissioners Court on Thursday, Escribano said since the end of April it issued 25 arrest warrants and filed more than 150 criminal case reports. All are related to drivers attempting to use bogus vehicle inspection reports at Travis County Tax Offices to fraudulently register vehicles that shouldn’t be on the road.

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