By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-856925.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Dallas County Commissioners say they'll independently investigate allegations of possible wrongdoing by two Constables and a car towing service in southern Dallas. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
At issue are thousands of cars towed in two Dallas county precincts overseen by Constables Jaime Cortes and Derick Evans. They mostly use one company, Dowdy Ferry Auto Services, that is reportedly unlicensed. Judge Foster says the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the TDLR, is interested.
Foster: I think you're going to find out that not only is the company under investigation by the TDLR. But they're going to have their license revoked. At least that's the intent of that agency at this point.
The TDLR confirms the investigation. Commissioner Maurine Dickey says she has asked District Attorney Craig Watkins to investigate the matter, but hasn't heard back from him. So Commissioners will investigate the allegations themselves. Dickey says constituents have complained about unregulated, costly towing. More than a dozen Deputy Constables have complained about the 2 Constables.
Dickey: The time has come to act. Our court must let the public know we're not going to go to sleep on this. If there's some wrongdoing we need to find it. If there is no wrongdoing we need to assure the public that this doesn't exist.
Commissioners say they'll announce the independent investigator next Tuesday. They would not say how much it'll cost. Neither the auto service nor the constables could be reached for a response.