A school bus

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A school bus company and its owners are accused of filing forged insurance paperwork to operate on Long Island.

Cheese Bus, Inc., along with co-owners Malik Turnage Sr., 52, and Malik Turnage Jr., 27, were arraigned in Nassau County Court Tuesday, Oct. 21, on felony charges of offering a false instrument and misdemeanor insurance fraud.

The company is accused of submitting forged liability insurance certificates to the Valley Stream Central High School District between 2019 and 2024, according to prosecutors.

The district requested updated insurance certificates in October 2023. Turnage Jr. sent multiple documents by email that listed Integon National Insurance Company as the provider, prosecutors said. The school district later discovered the documents were fake.

A review by investigators found that Cheese Bus did carry insurance, but it did not cover the Valley Stream contract. Insurance company records showed no history of coverage or certificates issued for that contract, prosecutors said.

“These defendants were trusted with safely transporting young students, but they chose to allegedly cut corners and put lives at risk,” said Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly. 

“Operating school buses without proper insurance is not only illegal, but it’s also completely reckless and unacceptable.”

Both men pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance. If convicted, they could face up to four years in prison.