The Bayview tow truck firm Specialty Towing is embroiled in scandal, with co-owner Jose Badillo indicted for orchestrating arson against competitors' trucks. This indictment follows a history of illegal activities, including fraudulent tows and welfare fraud, leading to a ban from city contracts. Badillo allegedly directed others to set fire to competing tow trucks to boost business for his own companies. The alleged crimes occurred in multiple locations, raising serious concerns about the firm's operations and ethics in the towing industry, following previous issues that have marred its reputation.
Badillo allegedly orchestrated the conspiracy and then directed others to set fire to the targeted tow trucks, according to a Department of Justice indictment announcement from Thursday.
In February 2024, SF City Attorney Davd Chiu banned Specialty Towing from getting city contracts after they'd illegally towed cars and forced the owners to pay cash under the table to get them back.
Specialty Towing is probably most notorious for the viral April 2024 video where one of their tow trucks tried to tow a moving car in Union Square.
The purpose of the conspiracy was, among other things, to drive more business to two Bay Area-based towing companies with which Badillo was associated.
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