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Houston resident urges TDLR to hold towing companies accountable after court wins, questions closed complaints
Summary
A Houston resident told the TDLR commission his complaints against local tow companies were closed after he prevailed in court and asked how TDLR treats court judgments when deciding enforcement actions.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, resident Ronnie Lewis told the commission that after several successful court judgments he filed complaints with TDLR about “improper tow” practices in his neighborhood but learned his complaint was closed. Lewis said TDLR’s website states that a towing hearing is not a substitute for filing a complaint; he described being confused and frustrated that a complaint was closed after his court victories.
Lewis said he learned how to challenge a tow through TDLR materials and credited prosecutor Michael Shirk and Todd Forrester for guidance that helped him contest the tows. He also said staff in Governor Abbott’s office, including an individual he identified as Alex Hammock, provided assistance. Lewis asked the commission what burden of proof TDLR requires to hold licensees accountable and specifically asked, “how many judgments are too many judgments?” He said he would provide court judgments and before-and-after photographs to TDLR staff.
A TDLR staff member, identified in the transcript as Mr. Julius, responded that a member of staff would follow up directly with Lewis to answer his questions. No enforcement action or case-specific discussion occurred during the public-comment period; commissioners reiterated that they may not engage in discussion on matters not on the agenda or on contested enforcement matters while public comment is being made.
