Posted on 03/29/2025 5:12:02 PM PDT by xxqqzz
A year and a half after a local tow truck operator was caught charging as much as $11,000 per tow, he's now entering into a plea deal to avoid going to jail.
Facing 151 counts of fraud and theft by deception, Vince Fannick headed into District Judge James Hanley's courtroom, waiving his hearing and agreeing to make some restitution to victims while also pleading guilty to some charges.
"I feel like they stole my car," one victim said. "I just want my car back."
The plea bargain comes a year and a half after prosecutors deemed Fannick's practices as predatory, charging 36 victims anywhere between $9,000 and $11,000 to tow their cars short distances while holding the vehicles hostage until he was paid.
In each case, Fannick would not only charge for the tow, but he also charged thousands more in phantom recoveries, gate, and administrative fees, alleged services that prosecutors said were never performed.
Rather than fight the charges, Fannick waived his hearing and will plead guilty to some counts when he is formally arraigned in May. County detectives and members of the Attorney General's office would not reveal details of the plea, but sources tell KDKA he'll be on house arrest and need to make restitution to the victims.
"It's a significant penalty for predatory towing," said Allegheny County Police Detective Keith Cecotti. "I believe it sends a message."
Fannick said nothing leaving court but sources have said part of his agreement is he'll be required to make a public service message about predatory towing.
"The insurance companies were paying for an awful long time, and he was offering services, I don't have an opinion either way," said Wendy Williams, Fannick's attorney.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
A black friend of mine had a tow truck company he called it Brazil Nut
PA Ping
Charging $10,000 for towing and not giving the car back until it was paid.
Tow companies have always been crooks (for example taking cars legally parked and making the victim pay) and they and police corruption traditionally work together.
I don’t know if it is as bad as it was in the 60s and 70s.
Lincoln Park Pirates
Tow companies have always been crooks (for example taking cars legally parked and making the victim pay) and they and police corruption traditionally work together.
I don’t know if it is as bad as it was in the 60s and 70s.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Years ago, I was driving with a very drunk passenger.
I got pulled over, hauled in, car towed, friend had to walk miles to a phone.
I blew .000% at the cop shop. They kicked me out on the street. Took a week or so and hundreds of dollars to get my car back.
North Boulder, CO early 90’s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE5HtTxxJRM
Awesome song!
Feeding on the poor and working poor was a staple of the cop/tow company industry.
House arrest for committing 151 acts of fraud? That’ll teach him!
I hope he has only basic cable TV. Then he will truly suffer.
Ping...
LOLOLOL!.............................Only a Southerner will get that...............
The first two towing companies she called on the phone were totally worthless. The third company she called responded immediately and got the job done professionally right then and there.
Net: two out of three towing companies are bad. Watch out.
I bet the chief of police brother owned the tow company..................
AAA.
I have had AAA for about 40 years. I have needed them about 12 times; always satisfied with the service. The best is just knowing that I have someone to call no matter where my car breaks down or simply won’t start.
Now that is one scum bag.
AND he will pay restitution. Being a prudent, honest, and thrifty guy and all, I’m sure he wisely invested the money away...just in case he had to pay restitution.
> AND he will pay restitution. <
In theory. Courts often order fines and restitution to be paid. The guilty party doesn’t pay, and nothing is done about it.
Charging $10K a tow, he probably had plenty of money to pay of a prosecutor and judge.
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