CAMP LEJEUNE, NC — The Justice Department reached a settlement with Goines Towing & Recovery, owned by Billy Joe Goines, for allegedly violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The company, near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, reportedly towed and sold vehicles owned by servicemembers without proper legal procedures.
Filed on March 3, the complaint accused Goines of auctioning vehicles owned by eight servicemembers. The SCRA mandates that towing companies verify if a vehicle’s owner is in military service before obtaining court permission to sell stored vehicles. The lawsuit alleged Goines either failed to file or filed inaccurate military affidavits, disregarding evidence of military ownership, such as vehicles towed from military installations or with military decals.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the legal requirement for towing companies to file accurate military affidavits. She highlighted the deprivation of servicemembers’ rights to reclaim their vehicles due to Goines’ actions.
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. noted a specific case where Goines sold a Marine Corporal’s SUV while he was deployed, without notifying the court of the owner’s military status.
This case marks the first U.S. lawsuit against a towing company under the SCRA’s military affidavit requirement. The settlement, pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, includes a $66,805.06 payment to affected servicemembers, waiver of certain storage fees, SCRA training for Goines, and implementation of compliant policies and procedures.
The investigation originated from a referral by U.S. Marine Corps legal assistance.