Attorney General's News Release

Feb. 19, 1999

Nixon continues crackdown on illegal towing practices in St. Louis County

St. Louis, MO — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's crackdown on illegal towing practices continued today in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Nixon sued a St. Louis towing company and its owner for illegal towing practices including overcharging and refusing to release motor vehicles unless the owners paid in cash. Victims had paid as much as $840 to reclaim their vehicles.

Nixon said the actions of Parking Enforcement Inc. and Joseph Dominic Spezia are unconscionable and in violation of state consumer protection laws.

Nixon is seeking a court order requiring the defendants to pay at least $5,000 in penalties for all known violations and additional penalties for any unknown violations. He also asked the court for an order revoking the defendants' towing license and banning them from towing for no less than three years, and requiring them to pay restitution to five known victims and investigative costs.

The lawsuit alleges Parking Enforcement Inc. and Spezia towed vehicles from sites that did not contain any signs, typically charged consumers $240 to $300 for towing services, refused to release vehicles unless victims paid in cash, and required victims to sign receipts which falsely stated they had authorized the towing.

In a separate towing matter, a St. Louis judge has ordered Joseph Sanfillippo, former manager of State Towing Inc., to pay $86,934 in damages for illegal towing practices violating Missouri's consumer protection laws.

Nixon also has obtained a permanent injunction against Sanfillippo's mother permanently preventing her and her living trust from towing, or authorizing the towing of vehicles without the assistance of law enforcement or prominent "no public parking" signs.

Ms. Sanfillippo also is prohibited from using a towing company to tow vehicles in the city of St. Louis unless the company is licensed by the city.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818