DOJ Files Lawsuit Against California Tow Company for Alleged Illegal Sales of Military Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against a Southern California towing company, accusing it of unlawfully auctioning or disposing of at least 148 impounded vehicles owned by military service members. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, targets S&K Towing Inc., alleging violations of federal laws designed to protect those serving in the armed forces.
Violation of Servicemembers' Rights
According to the complaint, the company failed to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which mandates that tow companies obtain a court order before selling or disposing of vehicles belonging to protected service members. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the importance of this protection, stating, "The men and women who serve in our nation’s military deserve peace of mind in knowing that their legal rights will be protected at home while they are away serving the United States." He added that it is both unacceptable and illegal for businesses to disregard these laws.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit specifies that many of the impounded vehicles were from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, with the towing occurring between August 2020 and April 2025. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon highlighted the challenges faced by service members, noting, "Servicemembers are often absent for extended periods due to training and deployments and may not know that their vehicle has been towed." The DOJ alleges that S&K Towing "knew or should have known" that the vehicles were owned by SCRA-protected individuals.
Company Response and Legal Proceedings
In a striking revelation, the lawsuit claims that when a military legal assistance lawyer contacted the company in 2024 about the alleged violations, a manager identified as "Jesse" responded by saying, "We do this all the time." The Department of Justice is now demanding a jury trial and seeking monetary relief for the affected service members. As of the filing, S&K Towing has not responded to requests for comment via its website, and no lawyer is listed in court records.
This case underscores ongoing efforts to enforce protections for military personnel, ensuring their property rights are upheld while they serve abroad.
