Lombard Motors towing company, which most recently drew heat for failing to pay taxes on a scofflaw-hunting tow truck, has been kicked off of the city’s Plate Hunter program.
“Lombard Towing is suspended from the Municipal Towers List effective April 10, 2009 at 0001 hours,” announced a letter dated Thursday, signed by Kenneth Gillespie, assistant chief of police.
“This suspension is the result of an investigation as well as violations of the Municipal Tow Policy,” the letter reads.
Through mayoral spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga, Gillespie declined to say what prompted the suspension. She said the company is under criminal investigation.
The letter came about a month and a half after the company got caught owing $1,064.73 in back taxes on the very tow truck it sent out to haul away scofflaw taxpayers. After the Independent reported the offense, the company’s owner, Anthony Monaco (pictured above), rushed into City Hall and made the payment.
Friday wasn’t the first time Monaco was booted from the city’s towing program. Last April, the Independent reported that the owner was double-dipping by opening a sham “new” towing company next door to his original one in order to get extra city business.
His business on Gando Drive had two side-by-side doors with signs for two “companies”: Lombard Motors and Anthony’s Hi-Tech.
At the time, Monaco claimed he was not double-dipping. Click here for a story and a video showing his response.
The city eventually removed one of Monaco’s companies from the city rotation and suspended him from towing for one week.
If he takes issue with the suspension, Monaco may request a hearing before the chief of police.
Reached by phone Sunday and Monday, Monaco said he was too busy to talk.
N.H.I.,
Thanks for doing whatever you can to keep these bottom feeders honest.