Theft, Fraud and Lies...Express Moving and Storage in Canoga Park, Ca

Express Moving and Storage in Canoga Park, CA stole my money, all of my household items and my life. This is a personal account of what happened.
This all started back in June of 2006. I own a PR firm and I was opening a new branch in Las Vegas. I had made arrangements to move from my apartment in Los Angeles and I needed to store my things for two months until my new condo was ready, also in the Los Angeles area. I contacted Nancy, at Express Moving and Storage. The move was scheduled and I began to pack my things. The day that the movers arrived, they insisted that I pay in cash. I let them know that I had given my credit card information to Nancy, but they informed me that it was only to hold my reservation. Plus, they insisted that I pay an addition $500 more than the price that we had originally agreed upon. I was upset, but I had to be in Las Vegas later that day, so I agreed.
I researched this moving company on line and I read about their protection and security (insert from their website):

EXPRESS MOVING & STORAGE has facilities for all your storage needs. Here is what we can offer you:
- Professional and courteous personnel, equipped and trained to provide excellent service.
- Over 55,000 square feet of storage area in California
- Full fire and theft security for your stored items
- Cartons to pack your household belongings before storage
- Containerized storage units to provide extra safety
- Pads designed to protect your furniture from breakage and damage
- Door to door pickup and delivery services

Two months passed and it was time for me to move into my new condo. During the two months, Nancy had contacted me with "check in" calls, offering assurances that things were safe and to verify my second moving date and address. I presumed all was well. Three days before my move in date, a lawyer named Michael Garcia contacted me. He let me know that my household goods were never stored in the Express Moving and Storage facility. They had been in the back of a truck the entire time. This truck was sitting out by Venture Blvd. in Canoga Park and it had been hit by a drunk driver. The SUV plowed into the truck bed and exploded. Everything that I owned was destroyed. All of my keepsakes, heirlooms, furniture, clothes, kitchen supplies and memories were gone. Mr. Garcia went on to let me know that it had happened two weeks prior. No one from Express Moving and Storage had attempted to reach me.
I was given the insurance information of the SUV driver and told that I had to recover my losses through their policy. Express Moving and Storage was not willing to cover my loss. Even though I payed $3,000 for moving and packing and $500 a month (2 months) for storage, that I did not receive; they refused to cover my losses. Express Moving and Storage also threatened to tie up my insurance money from the SUV driver, unless I signed a release of damages waiver. My loss totaled $350,000 and all I was able to recover in compensation was $88,000. Express Moving and Storage did not even reimburse what I payed them for moving and storing my goods.
I am self employed and I lost all of my office wares, computers and files. State Farm Insurance (the company for the SUV driver) treated me like a criminal when I filed my claim. It took them over two months to pay off. I was homeless, penniless and on the streets with my little girl. I used everything that I had in savings for hotels, until that ran out. I was to the point of suicide when Express Moving and Storage forced me into signing the release waiver. There was no money for food, clothing or shelter...my daughter and I were literally forced onto the streets of Los Angeles. Express Moving and Storage offered no help. They were at fault, they stole my money and my life. Express Moving and Storage never offered to honor their contract.
I finally received the $88,000 from State Farm Insurance, at the end of October 2006. By then, I lost every client that I had and I was forced to start over in another city and state. My daughter couldn't enroll in school because we were homeless and on the streets, she missed an entire semester. I will never get my old life back, but I am thankful to God that I have my daughter and his grace. Express Moving and Storage is a company that represents fraud, lies and theft. I plan on pursuing this case in both criminal and civil court, I want them to be held accountable...not only for what they did to me, but to protect potential victims.