Mayor prevails in lawsuit filed by tow truck driver

"Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei has prevailed in a lawsuit from a tow truck driver who said she had him arrested for towing her car from a downtown parking lot. The tow truck driver, Felix Salcido from Ed's Tow & Cradle, failed to show that he was charged without probable cause or that Kamei's actions led to his arrest, Judge Nathanael Cousins said in his ruling on Nov. 14."

"Salcido alleged that Kamei used her direct line to interim Police Chief Max Bosel because she was angry that her car was towed on April 12, 2023. Kamei "wields considerable influence and power in her position" on Mountain View City Council, Salcido's suit said. After talking to Kamei, Bosel allegedly assigned Sgt. Chris Goff to investigate, and Goff contacted other drivers who were towed and found one who wanted to press charges against Salcido."

"Goff said in his police report that Salcido didn't have written authorization for towing cars, violating state vehicle code. Salcido was charged with making illegal tows on June 20, 2024. Judge Thang Barrett dismissed the felony charge due to insufficient evidence. "In his police report, Goff deliberately fails to indicate who provided the notification of the alleged unlawful towing," Salcido's suit said. In response, Assistant City Attorney Montague Hung said council members have no individual authority over the police."

Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei was found not liable in a suit by tow truck driver Felix Salcido who alleged she caused his arrest after his towing of her car. Salcido claimed Kamei contacted interim Police Chief Max Bosel and used her council influence to trigger an investigation. Sgt. Chris Goff contacted other motorists and reported Salcido lacked written authorization, leading to charges on June 20, 2024. A judge dismissed the felony count for insufficient evidence. The suit criticized Goff's report for omitting who notified police. The city maintained council members have no individual authority and that citizens may file police reports.

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