N.H. man files $5.5M lawsuit against Methuen towing company, city, police

[TexasTowelie]

METHUEN — A New Hampshire man filed a $5.5 million lawsuit against the city of Methuen, its police and a tow company, alleging that his car was effectively stolen and sold without any legal basis.

Christopher Nesbitt, 38, of Salem, New Hampshire last week received a restraining order in federal court blocking Ronald Parrino, the owner of Valley Towing, from destroying or selling his son’s 1997 Honda Accord.

“That’s the main argument of my whole case — he stole my car,” Nesbitt said in an interview. “I want (Parrino) arrested, I want him charged, and I want the city to change its policies.”

Nesbitt was in a car accident in the city in December while driving his son’s car. Police deemed the Honda inoperable and had it towed by Valley Towing, according to court papers.

Read more: http://www.eagletribune.com/news/merrimack_valley/n-h-man-files-m-lawsuit-against-methuen-towing-company/article_f08e3bd9-94ed-53a8-831e-900ba2525692.html

[sandensea]

1. Laguna Beach, CA, had a similar racket going a few years ago.

I imagine many other towns do as well. Too much power = too much unaccountability.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I legally represented a tow company that had a city contract.

It unlawfully towed not one, but two cars. It charged the owners towing and storage fees.

The owners took the tow company to municipal court and I got involved.

Long story short: I resolved the situation by making my client return every bit of the money to the owners with two notes of apology. The judge never heard of that happening. While we got a technical conviction, the judge also vacated the penalty.

And I told the tow driver not to call me if he ever did this again.