DOJ: Towing Firm to Pay Navy Officer $7,500 for Selling Car in Violation of Military Protections

Navy Lt. Jonathan Liongson will earn $7,500 after his automobile was unjustly towed and auctioned while deployed. This is following a federal settlement highlighting active duty servicemembers' legal protections.

This Monday, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with Tony's Auto Center of Chula Vista, California, for violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which protects troops from legal and financial burdens.

In November 2022, Naval Base San Diego's Liongson parked his 2011 Mazda 6 at a friend's residence before deploying aboard the USS Bunker Hill. Over an expired registration, Chula Vista police confiscated and towed the vehicle to Tony's Auto while he was abroad. Despite knowing Liongson was a Navy officer via Navy Federal Credit Union records, the corporation auctioned his car two months later for $1,200.

Federal legislation compels firms to get a court order before selling active-duty servicemember property. The DOJ alleges that Tony's Auto Center neglected to check Defense Department databases to verify Liongson's military status as required by the SCRA and instead sold him after mailing a notification he never received while away at sea.

“While Lieutenant Liongson was at sea, he understood that his ship's mission and the duration of their deployment could change at any moment,” Southern California U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said. “He accepted that reality in fulfilling his solemn oath. The SCRA provides grace and understanding about certain personal affairs.”

Tony's Auto Center must teach its workers and contractors about SCRA compliance and pay a $2,000 civil penalty as part of the settlement.

“Our armed forces should not have to worry about their cars being auctioned off while deployed,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. “This settlement should send a strong message to other towing companies that they should not exploit our servicemembers while protecting Americans.”

The DOJ reports that SCRA enforcement actions have awarded over $481 million to 147,000 servicemembers since 2011.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Pacific in late 2022 included Liongson's USS Bunker Hill. In September 2023, it was deactivated.

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