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Enforcement Action
Mohammad Bazargani
Chemical Engineer No. 6083
The Board for Geologist and Geophysicists (Board) issued a Citation and Fine of $2,500 on September 22, 2006 to Mr. Mohammad Bazargani for violation of sections 7872(a) and 7872(h) of the Business and Professions Code (unlicensed professional practice of geology). Mohammad Bazargani prepared a report entitled "Quarterly Groundwater Monitoring and Remedial Report Second Quarter 2003" (Report), dated July 15, 2003 signed and sealed as "Mohammad Bazargani," Chemical Engineer No. 6083. The aforementioned Report was submitted to the Solano County Environmental Management Department (a local oversight program or LOP) for review on July 17, 2003. Subsequently, TRC – the company that employed Mr. Bazargani at the time – replaced the Report with a report with an identical title but certified by an appropriately licensed individual. On November 21, 2006, the Report was reviewed by an independent technical expert and evaluated for the potential unlicensed practice of geology and/or geophysics. Mr. Bazargani was, and is, not licensed to practice or offer to practice geology for others in the State of California. The expert determined that the Report signed by Mr. Bazargani constituted the professional practice of geology as alleged by the Solano County and was therefore negligent in performing professional geological services without a proper license in violation of section 7872(a) of the Business and Professions Code.
The aforementioned verified facts and technical review confirmed, and therefore further supported, the findings of the aforementioned citation. Due to the mitigating factors, including the correction of Mr. Bazargani's Report, the citation is sustained with a reduced fine of $500.
Board records show that Mr. Bazargani did not hold a valid registration as a Professional Geologist on or about the time of the report submittal to Solano County. Therefore, at all times relevant Mr. Bazargani was not licensed to practice geology or offer to practice geology for others in the State of California.
The aforementioned Report signed by Mr. Bazargani demonstrates that he practiced geology in the State of California without a valid California Professional Geologist license. Consequently, Mr. Bazargani violated Business and Professions Code section 7872(a) when he engaged in the practice of geology without a license. These violations constitute grounds for disciplinary action under Business and Professions Code section 7872(a) and section 7872(h).
In accordance with section 125.9(d) of the Business and Professions Code, payment of the fine does not constitute admission of the violation charged and represents satisfactory resolution of the matter. The case was closed on February 12, 2008.
