The Bureau of Automotive Repair will hold its second workshop on the proposed regulations. The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) announced it will host a second public workshop to discuss proposed regulations on storage and towing fees on July 18. The workshop will be held after the conclusion of the July BAR Advisory Group […]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Charges Tow Truck Operator with Theft and Insurance Fraud
Owner of towing business alleged to have inflated costs, charging 27 vehicle owners nearly $300,000 for short-trip tows. Attorney General Michelle Henry, along with the Allegheny County Police Department, announced charges against the owner of a Pittsburgh-based towing company for inflating tow costs by charging “accident services” fees and other deceptive practices. Vincent G. Fannick, […]
Towing and Recovery Association Responds to Federal Fee Regulation Proposal
The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA) has responded to a proposal by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulate heavy duty towing fees as part of its focus on “junk fees” charged by U.S. businesses. As CollisionWeek reported February 12, the FMCSA expressed strong support […]
U.S. Department of Transportation Urges Protection for Truckers Against Predatory Towing Fees
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressed strong support for trucker protections against predatory towing fees in a comment filed on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule banning junk fees. FMCSA’s comment outlines concerns with predatory towing junk fee practices that significantly increase costs for commercial motor vehicle owners […]
Insurers Supporting Legislation to Combat Predatory Towing Practices in Florida
The National Insurance Crime Bureau, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime, is helping lead the way to combat predatory towing practices in the Florida and recently took part in a transportation committee hearing in the Florida House of Representatives focused on this issue. “Once a vehicle is towed, the financial burden […]
Former Detroit Police Lieutenant in Charge of Integrity Unit Sentenced to 2 ½ Years in Prison for Taking Towing Referrals Bribes
A former police lieutenant in charge of the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with another Detroit police officer in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced April 18. Ison was joined in […]
Justice Department Sues North Carolina-based Towing Company for Violating Rights of Servicemembers
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina alleging that Billy Joe Goines, the owner and operator of Goines Towing & Recovery (Goines), auctioned off, sold or otherwise disposed of motor vehicles owned by servicemembers using court judgments obtained without filing proper military affidavits, in violation of federal law. The […]
NY Attorney General Sues Towing Company
New York Attorney General Letitia James on June 7 filed a lawsuit against a towing company, known as Bobby’s Towing, and its owner and operator, Robert Scores, for allegedly cheating and harassing hundreds of New Yorkers in Poughkeepsie. The lawsuit alleges that for years Mr. Scores engaged in rude behavior, illegally towed cars, overcharged for […]
South Florida Towing Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
On Friday, Craig Goldstein, 60, of Boca Raton, Florida the owner of a Lauderdale Lakes towing company, pled guilty to three counts of Tax Evasion for underreporting income and failing to pay federal tax on money he received through a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) kickback scheme and other cash-based fraud. The sentencing has been set […]
Pennsylvania Attorney General Announces Settlements with Towing Companies over Violations of Consumer Protection Laws
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced April 20 that his office has reached a settlement with Michael Caban of Angelina’s Towing and Recovery LLC and Siani’s Towing and Recovery LLC, Ricardo Caban of Aubry’s Towing LLC, and Miguel Caban and Miguel Caban, Jr. The settlement is part of a larger effort on the part of […]