NY Wins Lawsuit Against Poughkeepsie Towing Company

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — New York won a lawsuit against a Hudson Valley towing company that was accused of persistently violating the state's business laws.

Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday that the Dutchess County State Supreme Court issued an order that required Bobby's Towing and its owner and operator Robert Scores to pay restitution to affected customers.

The order also bans Scores from the towing business unless he pays a $100,000 bond and requires him to pay $20,000 to the state in penalties.

In May 2022, James filed a lawsuit against Scores and Bobby's Towing for repeatedly cheating and harassing hundreds of New Yorkers in Poughkeepsie.

The lawsuit claimed that for years, Scores engaged in rude behavior, illegally towing cars, overcharged for towing fees, falsified tow tickets and made racist and derogatory comments to vehicle owners.

In a statement, James said she was pleased with the court's decision.

"Bobby's Towing was a known predator and menace in Poughkeepsie's streets," she said, "and today New Yorkers can rest assured that their cars will not be unjustly taken away from them.

"My office will continue to do everything in our power to stop any company that bypasses our laws and hurts consumers," James said.

The Office of the Attorney General found Scores repeatedly engaged in predatory and deceptive business practices, including:

James's office also said Scores told customers to report tows to their insurance as roadside assistance for insurance reimbursement, which is illegal. He also caused significant damage to vehicles by failing to hook them up properly to his towing truck.