City Tries to Shut Down Youngin's Towing|ABC 7 News

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City Tries to Shut Down Youngin's Towing

posted 5:45 pm Thu September 13, 2007 - Washington

tags: youngins • towing • dcra • business

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An often criticized towing company is battling for its business license in court after the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs decided to revoke its business license because of numerous complaints.

In a hearing Thursday before an administrative law judge, attorneys for the District accused Youngin's Towing of preying on motorists for two decades . Several witnesses testified against Youngin's. Maurice Moore says Youngin's did not notify him when it towed his car and then sold the vehicle.

"They didn't notify anybody. They just took the car and sold it and its just something they could get away with and apparently they've been getting away with for years," said Moore.

Investigators say Youngin's trucks prowled District streets, towing illegally parked or ticketed vehicles without notifying the department of public works, as is required by law. Attorneys for the city also argued that the tow company's owner over-charged, would only accept payment in cash and verbally abused people who retrieved their vehicles.

"Youngin's towing is a big rip off and he's a crook," said complainant Leroy Atkins.

Jams Gee, the owner of Youngin's, says he's the victim of a city investigator with a vendetta against him.

"Everybody's angry; nobody wants to get towed. I'm only the fall guy so if you the fall guy you take the abuse."

Youngin's Towing is not operating currently because of an injunction filed by the city.

The administrative law judge is expected to make a decision on whether to permanenty revoke the business license in the next few weeks.

Latest Comment on City Tries to Shut Down Youngin's Towing

JeffreyW75

9:21 pm on 10/01/07

Someone should investigate the towing companies in Alexandria, VA. The Alexandria Code sets a maximum fee of $75 for involuntary tows from private property, but A-1 Towing Companies (aka A-1 Associates, LLC) charges $150 to tow. They also tow without signs posted, and damage vehicles. And the city police don't know the city laws, so they don't enforce it--even though there is a criminal fine associated with violations. Many people have sued them and won, but most don't and so it is financially lucrative for them. Big problem in Alexandria, VA.

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