The Queens couple, Dan Keys Jr., 66, and Symone Palermo, 53, filed a racial bias action (claiming a whopping $3 million in damages) against the city and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, claiming they were unlawfully targeted on May 2013 by agents who assumed that a black man dropping off a white woman must be a cabdriver, or, in this case an unlicensed cabdriver providing an illegal ride.
This is the third black eye in a week for the TLC aggressive car seizure program, the first being an claim by one of the TLC's own inspectors that his agency acts recklessly in issuing summons, the second being a summons and car seizure of a driver who gives free rides to cancer patients.
in the latest case, the husband and wife both received summonses — the wife was ticketed as the registered owner of the car — and the agents allegedly continued the charade to cover up their mistake, according to court papers.
While the TLC-issued summonses were dismissed, the couple lost use of the car for a week.
TLC mouthpiece Alan Fromberg, who is rarely at a loss when denouncing drivers, refused comment.
In the past the TLC has boasted that it seizes 8000 cars annually, and that it is looking to increase that number.
Additional links:
Lawsuit: TLC Mistakes Black Man, Bi-Racial Wife For Illegal Livery Cab Driver, Passenger
If your car has been seized, click here.
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