A KDKA investigation found that Vince's Towing in Pittsburgh routinely charged $7,000 to $11,000 for short tows, including an $11,780 bill for a seven-tenths-of-a-mile tow from the Strip District, with phantom recovery, gate, and administrative fees that prosecutors said were never performed, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Owner Vince Fannick charged 27 customers a combined $298,945 and was later ordered to pay $379,000 in restitution.
Operator takeaway
$11,780 for a seven-tenths-of-a-mile tow with phantom fees — this is the case that prosecutors use to justify criminal charges against tow operators, and the $379,000 restitution order is the price of fabricated invoices.