www.marinij.com/ci_7706352
Nancy Isles Nation Article Launched: 12/12/2007 11:08:14 PM PST A San Francisco parking service agreed to pay $130,000 in fees and legal costs and will refund consumers who paid illegal tickets it issued as the result of a settlement finalized Wednesday in Marin Superior Court. The company is authorized to arrange for towing of illegally parked vehicles, but is not permitted to issue citations. The company monitored parking lots in Marin, including at Montecito Shopping Center, the French Quarter, Courthouse Square, Harbor Center and Safeway in San Rafael as well as the Safeway in Mill Valley and other lots. "We had numerous complaints from consumers about whether these were government tickets that they were issued and wanted to know what their obligations were to pay them," said Andres Perez, a Marin deputy district attorney. "They looked very official and it was confusing to understand who was giving the ticket." The Marin County District Attorney's Office monitored the public parking lots from 2003 to 2007 and observed Parking Advertisement Control employees leaving notices on vehicles that were allegedly violating the rules of the state vehicle code. "They were concerned about the threat of getting cars towed or booted - some thought it would affect their registration." One of the biggest problems was for people who shopped at Trader Joe's at Montecito, who, perhaps, took a stroll to stores across Third Street and found a citation when they returned for parking in a spot designated for the popular food store, or for parking longer than the time posted, Perez said. The tickets generally were set at $40 but increased in 30-day increments like official parking citations. Parking Control Service is not authorized to immobilize vehicles with "boots" or other devices. The Marin DA's office has been working with the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office in its investigation on behalf of the two counties and Alameda, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. Under terms of the settlement, signed by Judge Kelly Simmons, Parking Control must pay refunds to all consumers who paid charges from March 2003 through Wednesday. It also must pay $100,000 in civil penalties and $30,000 to reimburse the cost of the two-year investigation. Anyone who believes they paid an illegal ticket should submit a claim by sending proof of a payment to Parking Control Service Settlement Refund, PO Box 231, San Francisco 94083. If no proof of payment is available, consumers can call 877-563-9444 and provide the license plate number of the tagged vehicle. After verification, the consumer will be required to send Parking Control a copy of documentation verifying ownership. The consumer is not required to currently own the vehicle. "We strongly encourage them to file a claim and we tried to make the process as simple and streamlined as possible," Perez said. Parking Control Services referred a reporter to its attorney, Mark Posard of San Francisco.
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