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DOJ Sues Orange County Towing Company for Auctioning Vehicles Owned by Military Members
The DOJ seeks damages and penalties after S&K Towing sold 148 military-owned vehicles without court orders, violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act over nearly five years.
- On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against San Clemente-based S&K Towing Inc., alleging the company illegally sold or disposed of 148 vehicles owned by active-duty military members without required court orders.
- Prosecutors claim S&K systematically ignored the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act over a five-year period, failing to obtain court orders before disposing of property belonging to protected servicemembers.
- After a Military Legal Assistance attorney warned S&K of violations in May 2024, a manager responded, "We do this all the time," and the company allegedly continued illegal auctions despite the notice.
- First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated, "The men and women who serve in our nation's military deserve peace of mind," as the DOJ seeks monetary damages and civil penalties.
- Service members who believe their rights were violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program office, as the government pursues formal relief for those impacted by the company's actions.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
Military Times+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Feds sue towing company for allegedly illegally auctioning off troops’ cars — including many towed from base
Some of the vehicles were auctioned off in spite of being registered to on-base addresses, including barracks.
·Vienna, United States
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SoCal towing company auctioned Camp Pendleton service members' cars while they were deployed, DOJ claims
The towing company sold vehicles that still had military equipment, uniforms and awards inside, the DOJ claims, or after they’d been informed that the owner was deployed overseas.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 20%
C 67%
13%
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