Full Breakdown
Justice Department Sues S&K Towing for Violating Servicemembers' Rights
3/26/2026, 9:48:57 PM
Allegations Against S&K Towing Inc.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against S&K Towing Inc., a towing company based in San Clemente, California, for allegedly auctioning off nearly 150 vehicles owned by military service members without the required court orders. The lawsuit claims that the company violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which mandates that towing companies must obtain a court order before selling or disposing of vehicles owned by protected servicemembers. The vehicles in question were primarily towed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton between August 2020 and April 2025.
Legal Context and Requirements
The SCRA is designed to protect the legal rights of servicemembers while they are deployed or training away from home. According to the DOJ, S&K Towing ignored these protections, even after being informed of their obligations under the law. The lawsuit alleges that some vehicles were auctioned off despite the company being aware that the owners were active-duty military personnel. A Military Legal Assistance lawyer contacted S&K Towing in May 2024 to address these violations, to which a manager reportedly responded, “We do this all the time.”
Official Statements
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the importance of protecting servicemembers' rights, stating, “The men and women who serve in our nation’s military deserve peace of mind in knowing that their legal rights will be protected at home while they are away serving the United States.” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon added that “Servicemembers are often absent for extended periods due to training and deployments and may not know that their vehicle has been towed,” highlighting the critical role of the SCRA in safeguarding their legal protections.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of S&K Towing's practices have pointed out the company's apparent disregard for federal law and the rights of servicemembers. The DOJ's lawsuit aims to hold the company accountable for its actions and ensure that similar violations do not occur in the future.
What's Next
The DOJ is seeking relief for the affected servicemembers, and the case is being handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Service members and their dependents who believe their rights under the SCRA may have been violated are encouraged to contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office for support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is unacceptable and illegal for a business to sell or dispose of these vehicles without abiding by the laws that protect servicemembers.” — Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney
- “Towing companies must respect and abide by the federal laws that protect members of our Armed Forces,” — Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General
This lawsuit underscores the ongoing efforts of the DOJ to enforce the SCRA, which has resulted in over $484 million in monetary relief for more than 149,000 servicemembers since 2011.
