DA drops charges against SOS Towing in 2019 insurance fraud case

Mobile, Alabama (WKRGMore) — SOS Towing, one of the five towing companies that once participated in the Mobile Police Towing Rotation 2019 insurance fraud investigationthe charge was dropped on Monday, February 13.

In 2019, SOS Towing was accused of overcharging. September 2019, Mobile police arrest owner of SOS towingGary Lamar Smith Sr. and Gary Lamar Smith Jr.; was arrested and faced eight counts of first-degree insurance fraud and two counts of second-degree insurance fraud.

Four other companies were acquitted, and SOS Towing was the only company whose owner was arrested. They also seized four of his tow trucks, but were able to return them to civil court.

WKRG News 5 asked District Attorney Keith Blackwood for comment on Wednesday, saying it was a mobile police decision whether the SOS towing “remains on the tow list.”

“This case was resolved today in a manner that would force the defendants to pay damages for misconduct related to filing inflated insurance claims through the towing business,” Blackwood said.

SOS Towing sent a statement to WKRG News 5 on Monday, which said, “After many years of declaring our innocence and fighting to clear our name, it’s over.”

Today is finally here. After years of declaring our innocence and fighting to clear our name, it’s over, the DA has dropped all charges. Even though I’m overjoyed, the victory is bittersweet. With the intention of fully justifying myself and leaving no room for doubt, I agreed to an accounting meeting to clarify the charges charged. Something that could have been easier from the beginning instead of suffering persecution.

SOS Toying & Smith Family