Judge approves $1.2 million settlement in King City towing scheme

A settlement for $1.2 million between King City and the victims named in a class-action lawsuit in a 2014 illegal towing scheme has been given the final approval by a U.S. Northern District Court judge, according to Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo.

The scheme involved former police officers, including two police chiefs, who targeted undocumented immigrants by illegally impounding their cars in a tow yard owned by the brother of one chief.

“This approved landmark settlement brings justice to all these victims. They lost their vehicles and many times, it was their only means to get to work or take their children to school. It was a major disruption to their lives and it was committed by those who were supposed to uphold the law,” Alejo said.

On Thursday, Alejo announced 229 victims will be paid $3,902 each and the settlement was approved by a judge on January 25, 2017.