The City of King City, California settled lawsuits stemming from a towing corruption scandal for $1.2 million after six police officers including the chief were arrested for conspiring with a tow company owner to impound more than 200 vehicles, primarily targeting low-income Latino residents who could not pay retrieval fees, according to Courthouse News Service. Sgt. Bobby Carrillo pleaded no contest to bribery and perjury charges.
Operator takeaway
A $1.2 million settlement for targeting immigrants through impound schemes — when corruption operates through the towing system, the municipality shares liability with the officers and operators involved.