An alleged monopoly in the vehicle-towing market in Philadelphia is among five new cases of interest in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Independent Towers and Salvors Association, et al., v. Gov. Josh Shapiro, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Oct. 29
Towing companies are suing over the termination of long-time towing contracts with Philadelphia that had them removing abandoned vehicles in the city. They say they relied on these contracts for income and to serve the city.
But legislation introduced in 2023 put their contracts in jeopardy. When Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on Dec. 13, it meant only the Philadelphia Parking Authority can tow abandoned vehicles, the suit says.
"This is in violation of Plaintiffs' long-standing and newly extended contract with the City of Philadelphia and is unconstitutional on its face," the suit says.
The law violates the Contracts Clause of the U.S. Constitution and creates a monopoly for the PPA, the suit says.
"By legislators passing this unconstitutional law, they are placing more money in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Agency's pockets rather than private citizens of Pennsylvania, who have a valid, existing and continuous contract to execute the work they are suddenly now forbidden to perform," it says.
Adam Leasure of Van Der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim represents the plaintiffs.
Maille Russel Bonsall v. Delaware County, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Nov. 1
This is at least the second lawsuit alleging Delco's former director of emergency services sexually harassed an employee. Timothy Boye is facing criminal charges of indecent assault, simple assault and harassment.
Jacqueline Kahler's lawsuit said Boyce told her she "had a nice ass," among other inappropriate things. Bonsall started as Boyce's executive assistant in 2019 and he allegedly "made her life a living hell."
Off-color jokes and bragging about his political clout gave way to sexual harassment, she says.
"Plaintiff recalls one incident in September 2019, where, with his hands shaking, he thrust his phone in her face," the suit says.
"On the screen were graphic pictures of his private parts. Plaintiff immediately left. When she returned, Boyce apologized and Plaintiff said 'Let's move on.'"
Kahler also alleges Boyce sprung a picnic on her, at which he tried to kiss her. He attempted a kiss again in a New York City parking garage and told Kahler he would leave his wife for her, she says.
Many Delco officials are named as defendants in the suit.
"It was inconceivable to Plaintiff that officials in the courthouse and supervisory staff at DES did not know and see how strange and controlling Boyce was with Plaintiff," the suit says.
Hope Rising Community Church v. Borough of Clarion
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Nov. 1
The church says Clarion is blocking its attempt to find a larger church for its more than 600 members. It hopes to relocate to a former automobile dealership on 2.57 acres of land.
When Hope Rising entered an agreement to buy the property, Clarion's zoning officer Scott Sharrar called to say Hope Rising would not be able to use the property as a church or seek zoning approval through a variance, the suit says.
Hope Rising is suing under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
"The (zoning) ordinance as a whole treats religious assemblies and institutions on less than equal terms with non-religious assemblies and institutions since churches and other religious assemblies are banned in C-2 district," the suit says, noting art studios, corporate offices and tears are among permitted uses.
Jason Walsh v. Luzerne County
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Nov. 1
Walsh filed his case ahead of Election Day, claiming the county had received voter registrations that were timely filed before the Oct. 21 deadline but hadn't added them to voter rolls.
Luzerne County also didn't send out mail-in ballots, the suit claims.
Luzerne County is no stranger to Election Day problems, as it ran out of paper ballots in 2022.
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Carlos Sacanell
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Oct. 31
The federal government comes to Pennsylvania to sue Sacanell for insider trading. The case says Sacanell was in a long-term domestic relationship with an Oak Street Health executive and received nonpublic information about CVS buying Oak Street.
Sacanell, of Willow Grove, allegedly acted on this insider info to make $617,000.