PITTSBURGH — Vehicle owners and drivers are suing 101 Kappa Drive Associates No. 1 and Brian Haenze, property owner and towing service provider, citing alleged predatory and illegal towing practices.
Alex Goldblum and Brian K. Bobak, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint on Sept. 17 in the Allegheny County Courts of Common Pleas against the defendants, alleging they violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices Consumer Protection Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that as a result of defendant's illegal practices, Goldblum and Bobak suffered actual costs and other damages by paying fees in excess of those authorized by law for the release of their vehicles. The plaintiffs hold 101 Kappa Drive Associates No. 1 and Haenze responsible because the defendants allegedly towed and retained possession of their vehicles and refused to release the same until they paid a fee that substantially exceeds the maximum fees imposed by the City of Pittsburgh.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek an order declaring this action as a collective action and designating plaintiffs and their counsels as representatives of the class and award for all damages, litigation costs, interest and such other just and proper relief. They are represented by Joshua Ward and Brian Fenters of The Law Firm of Fenters Ward in Pittsburgh and R. Bruce Carlson, Kelly Iverson and Kevin Tucker of Carlson Lynch Sweet Kilpela Carpenter LLP in Pittsburgh.