DCRA Takes Action: Youngin's Towing Must
Shut Down
From:
dcracommunications@dc.gov
From DCRAs Communications Team
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Takes Action: Youngin's Towing Must Shut Down
(Washington, DC) Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director
Linda K. Argo today announced that the agency has been successful in its
quest to revoke two Basic Business Licenses for Youngin's Towing and
Auto
Body, located at 1940 Montana Avenue NE. Youngin's will also have to
pay a
$1,500 fine.
DCRA issued a notice to revoke the towing company's business licenses on
April 27, 2007 based on investigations into six public complaints
against
the company over a five-month period. The Office of Administrative
Hearings (OAH) upheld DCRA's revocation today and rejected Youngin's
appeal of the agency's action. The revocation prevents Youngin's from
operating a towing business or a towing storage facility. Previously,
the
Superior Court granted an injunction against the company pending the
outcome of the OAH proceedings.
Youngin's was cited for multiple violations of District Municipal
Regulations. The company also violated District law by requiring payment
in cash - District law says that checks and credit cards must be
accepted.
In another case, Youngin's Towing was accused of towing and selling a
vehicle for scrap without the owner's knowledge.
Among the reasons the Office of Administrative Hearings cited in
upholding
DCRA's request to revoke the Basic Business License:
Not complying with District towing laws.
Charging more than allowed for tows under District law.
Not paying vehicle owners for damages to their vehicles caused by
Youngin's.
Not giving vehicle owners a printed copy of the "Owner's Bill of
Rights
for Towed Vehicles" as required by District regulations.
"District residents, businesses and visitors must be assured that they
can depend on our businesses to treat them fairly and according to our
laws," said Linda K. Argo, DCRA Director. "Businesses that violate
public
trust will be held accountable. We'll use all the tools at our disposal
to
make sure they operate legally or we'll shut them down. I also want to
acknowledge the work and the support of the Office of the Attorney
General
as we moved to protect consumers against a business that preyed on
vulnerable vehicle owners."
The specifics of the charges upheld by the Office of Administrative
Hearings are below:
November 5, 2006: Failing to promptly release a vehicle to the owner
after receiving proof of identity and payment, requiring payment in
cash,
failing to provide the "Owner's Bill of Rights for Towed Vehicles,"
failing to contact the Department of Public Works prior to releasing the
vehicle to the owner.
January 10, 2007: Failure to compensate vehicle owner for damage to
vehicle caused by towing company, improperly using public street space
for
vehicle storage.
January 24, 2007: Requiring payment in cash, failing to provide the
"Owner's Bill of Rights for Towed Vehicles."
January 29, 2007: Failing to contact the Department of Public Works
prior to releasing the vehicle to the owner.
February 12, 2007: Failing to contact the Department of Public Works
prior to releasing the vehicle to the owner.
March 21, 2007: Charging an excessive rate for a public tow, failing
to
promptly release a vehicle to the owner after receiving proof of
identity
and payment, failing to provide the "Owner's Bill of Rights for Towed
Vehicles."
Any vehicle owners who have cars stored at Youngin's are asked to make
arrangements to retrieve their cars immediately. The revocation prevents
Youngin's from conducting public or private tows; including towing
services from private property.
* * *
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs protects the health,
safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents,
businesses,
and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and
permits,
conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes,
regulating land use and development, and providing consumer education
and
advocacy services.