POUGHKEEPSIE – The embattled owner of Bobby’s Towing has been hit with hefty fines after a collision with New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Robert “Bobby” Scores was towed into court by the attorney general last year for a variety of complaints including predatory billing and towing practices.
Bobby’s Towing is prohibited from operating a towing business until the company and/or its owner, gives the attorney general’s office $100,000 cash or a $100,000 secured bond.
Dutchess County Supreme Court Justice Tom Davis, Tuesday, after hearing from several witnesses that claim to have been victims of the tow company’s practices, rendered a decision that requires Scores, who operates Bobby’s Towing and Recovery LLC and Bobby’s Towing and Recovery, to produce a fiduciary bond and pay restitution.
The attorney general asserted that Scores routinely failed to observe the 20-minute grace period before towing cars from private lots in the City of Poughkeepsie. Scores argued that people were parked illegally and he towed them, claiming he was just “doing his job.” Judge Davis said Scores was “missing the point” and admonished him in the decision. “Mr. Scores makes much of the fact that he expects people to follow the rules, and if only they did, he wouldn’t tow them,” Judge Davis said, adding “The irony of his argument is not lost on the Court. He, too, has to follow the rules spelled out in the City of Poughkeepsie Code and he has blatantly, unabashedly, and persistently failed to do so.”
“I am pleased with this court decision to stop Bobby’s Towing from hurting any more New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “Bobby’s Towing was a known predator and menace in Poughkeepsie’s streets, and today New Yorkers can rest assured that their cars will not be unjustly taken away from them.”
The heart of the decision requires Scores to produce thousands of dollars to stay in business. Key points of the judge’s decision are:
- Scores is required to make full restitution to “all aggrieved consumers, known and unknown,” which will be determined by the OAG and presented to the judge no later than July 10, 2023.
- The tow operator is required to pay $20,000 in civil penalties to the attorney general’s office for the four instances where Scores issued fraudulent tow tickets that misrepresented the reason the cars were towed, as proven in court.
- Scores, no later than July 10, 2023, is required to erect conspicuous signs at each location where he is the contracted towing company, including Manchester Gardens and Canterbury Gardens apartment complexes, that include all of the required language regarding the towing policies.
- Scores is required to publicly post the towing and/or storage rates at his facility and/or place of business where the rates are accessible and visible to consumers.
The key decision Judge Davis issued says Bobby’s Towing is “immediately and permanently enjoined from engaging in, or being affiliated in any manner with, the towing operation business, either as a driver, proprietor, or any other capacity, within the State of New York until $100,000 cash, or a $100,000 performance bond is filed with the New York State Attorney General by a surety or bonding company licensed by and in good standing with the New York State Department of Insurance.”
The $100,000 is to provide a fund for restitution to consumers “defrauded or damaged” by the tow company’s “fraudulent or illegal past or future conduct” if the respondents do not make restitution as ordered by Judge Davis.
The parties are due back in front of Judge Davis in two weeks to discuss the potential additional parameters that Scores must adhere to in order to remain in business. The potential requirements include the keeping of a log book, photographing of vehicles prior to being towed, and other requirements the court deems reasonable.
When contacted on Thursday, Bobby Scores told Mid-Hudson News that he had just completed a towing job in the Town of Poughkeepsie and was not prepared to comment on the decision. He also noted that he is working with his attorney to determine a course of action.
