TLC Apologizes for Improper Summons and Impound of Grocery Worker’s Car

Last week Mayer Kohn, a Williamsburg grocery store owner, accused the Taxi and Limousine Commission of “stealing” his employee’s car when they impounded it and improperly issued him a $2,000 summons, all this based on an inspector’s accusation that the vehicle was being used as an “illegal” taxi.

The incident began last week Tuesday on December 4th when Mr. Kohn asked employee Paulino Rodriguez to drive them over to a nearby produce wholesaler to restock their supply of bananas.

On their way there two inspectors from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission pulled them over and accused Mr. Rodriguez of operating and illegal taxi. The inspectors issued him a $2,000 summons and impounded the car.

In an interview to CBS 2 News Mr. Kohn accused the TLC of “stealing the car” and the he is “very angry after seeking what police can do to people.” He told reporters that he tried explained to the inspectors that Mr. Rodriguez is a long time employee of his and that he was not a taxi service, but they ignored him and instead offered that he pay a reduced fine of $1,000 if he pleads guilty.

Today, 4 days after the incident the TLC issued an apology and said that they are retracting the summons.

VinNews’s Sandy Eller reported that in a statement TLC Spokesman Allan J. Fromberg said “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Kohn, and while the overwhelming vast majority of enforcement actions taken by our officers are appropriate and upheld whenever challenged, we will continue to endeavor to ensure that the potential for such misunderstandings is kept to the absolute minimum.”

This apology came after the TLC finally accepted proof of paystubs Mr. Kohn has issued Mr. Rodriguez of the past 13 years of his employment.

7 Comments

  • longtime CH resident

    obviously it’s Racial Profiling… call the NY Civil Liberties Union for a lawyer

    • Frank in NJ

      I believe something like this should not go unpunished, Paulino should contact a lawyer and seek a settlement out of this Authority. These enforcement officers should not be pushing the power around even though there was 100% proof that a crime was not commited. An apology is not enough and these officers should not go undisciplined.

  • Cholent Mit Kugel

    Maybe he was Ubering on the side. Story sounds fishy. OK, back to stacking those bananas, and displaying the vanilla sugar…

  • De Blasio's campaign promise?

    Seems like a lot of examples of TLC taking unnecessarily aggressive action all of a sudden. Is this also a result of de Blasio making more “back door” promises in exchange for votes???

  • not an expert

    This is side problem with racial profiling.

    The TLC cop assumed the Hasidic jew is no friend or relative of the hispanic driver.

    Some NYPD are decent but too many of them are more like mafia than protecting and serving.

  • Mishagas stupidity

    it should never have happened the tlc is a rogue communist like organization that like other city & state organizations including the kangaroo courts of parking& moving violations is guilty until proven innocent!! what about the towing & redemption fees?