A federal judge dismissed tow driver Felix Salcido's lawsuit claiming Mountain View, California Mayor Ellen Kamei used her political influence to have him investigated and arrested after he towed her vehicle from a downtown lot in April 2023, according to the Mountain View Voice. The court granted the city's third dismissal motion, ruling Salcido failed to show he was charged without probable cause and that further amendments would be futile.
Operator takeaway
When a tow triggers political blowback, your authorization paperwork is your only defense — if you can't prove the tow was lawful at the time, a retaliation claim won't save you in court.