Black Tow Truck Company Sues County Permitting Office (MD)

[TowForce]

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – Cornelius Woods, owner of Collision Towing and Auto Body and President of the Prince George’s County African American Tow Truck Organization, is suing Prince George’s County’s Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) for $6.25 million while alleging that racial discrimination and an atmosphere of “pay to play” have harmed his business. 

 

His business has been padlocked and closed the building roughly a year ago, he has also claimed that DPIE has effectively given the Nuisance Abatement Board (NAB) more authority to impact residents despite their lower legal threshold to close or fine businesses. 

 

“This is supposed to be a majority African-American county where something like this isn’t supposed to happen,” said Woods.  “This is shameful and should have never happened. I can’t believe how callous and dishonest these people are and the lack of concern they have for business owners, the people we employed, and the community where we serve.”

The lawyer who is representing him has previously sued DPIE on behalf of an Iverson Mall tenant. 

 

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