NY AG Sues Predatory Towing Company In Hudson Valley

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The state attorney general is suing a Hudson Valley towing company after it was accused of persistently violating New York's business laws.

Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Bobby's Towing and its owner and operator, Robert Scores, for repeatedly cheating and harassing hundreds of New Yorkers in Poughkeepsie.

The lawsuit claims that for years Scores engaged in rude behavior, illegally towed cars, overcharged for towing fees, falsified tow tickets and made racist and derogatory comments to vehicle owners.

James said he actively patrolled streets looking for cars to tow even if private property owners did not call for a car to be towed.

The lawsuit is seeking restitution and reimbursements for those who were cheated.

James said, for too long, Bobby's Towing bullied people who depended on their cars to go to work, to take their children to school and to get groceries and run errands.

"We are slamming the brakes on this unlawful and predatory behavior that hurt too many vulnerable New Yorkers," she said. "No one should have to pay hundreds of dollars to get their car back when they didn't do anything wrong."

James's office opened an investigation into Bobby's Towing after they said they received multiple complaints about the company and Scores for aggressive and even racist behavior.

The Office of the Attorney General found Scores persistently engaged in deceptive and predatory business practices, including:

• Towing vehicles even when owners were on the scene and willing to move their cars.
• Towing cars that were temporarily idling.
• Falsifying tow tickets with untrue justifications for the tow and cost.

In addition, Scores repeatedly told consumers to report tows to their insurance as roadside assistance for insurance reimbursement, which is illegal. He also often failed to properly hook up cars onto his towing truck, causing significant and expensive damages to vehicles, according to authorities.

James said Scores violated the City of Poughkeepsie's towing ordinance by charging more than $85 for towing fees, failing to wait the required 20-minute grace period before towing, overcharging for storage fees and charging administrative and other service fees that are prohibited.

In multiple affidavits obtained by her office, car owners said that Scores towed their car in less than 10 minutes after they left it.

The lawsuit was filed in Dutchess Count State Supreme Court and is seeking to prevent Scores from operating a tow truck business unless he obtains a $100,000 bond; get reimbursement for illegal or unjustified tows, including damages, such as lost wages; pay restitution for all known and unknown consumers and get Scores to stop deceptive and predatory business practices and disgorge illegal profits and pay penalties.

James encourages any New Yorkers who have been harmed by Bobby's Towing to file an online complaint or call 845-485-3900.