A California company is obligated to pay nearly $10,000 following accusations of illegal towing and sale of a vehicle. A particular circumstance was that the car belonged to US Navy Lieutenant Jonathan Liongson, who was at the time serving as part of the crew of the USS Bunker Hill.
According to the Department of Justice, before deploying to the mission area, the serviceman loaded his belongings into a 2011 Mazda6 and left it in a parking lot near a friend’s house. During his absence, the firm “Tony’s Auto Center” towed the vehicle and subsequently sold it at auction.
These actions violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which requires obtaining a court order before disposing of property. After the incident, the government filed a lawsuit against the company on behalf of the officer.
The parties reached a settlement agreement, under which Liongson will receive $7,500 in compensation. According to Kelly Blue Book estimates, the value of a 2011 Mazda6 with 140,000 miles ranges between $4,800 and $7,400, making the compensation fair considering the car’s condition.
Fines and Policy Changes
In addition to compensating the owner, the company must pay a $2,000 civil penalty to the state. The enterprise is also forced to review its internal procedures to avoid future violations of the law.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dillon stated: “Our servicemembers should not have to worry about their property when they are defending the freedoms and rights of Americans abroad.” She emphasized that this case should serve as a warning to other companies.
Since 2011, thanks to compliance with this law, over 147,000 servicemembers have received compensation totaling over $481 million. For assistance, interested individuals can contact their nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance office.