Whittier City Council accepts police recommendation to terminate Hadley Tow contract
March 16, 2026 | Whittier City, Los Angeles County, California
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The Whittier City Council returned from closed session on March 16 and accepted the police chief’s recommendation to terminate the city’s contract with Hadley Tow, a staff member reported. Council staff will issue a 30‑day written notice to end the agreement.
The decision came after two members of the public addressed the special meeting during the public‑comment period. Connie McCormack, who identified herself as a 30‑year Whittier resident, read recent news reporting that the owners of Hadley Tow were arrested and face felony charges related to alleged insurance fraud and payroll underreporting. McCormack said the case has drawn strong social‑media reaction and reminded the council that it renewed the towing contract in 2016 amid objections from the then police chief. “Two owners of Hadley Tow are facing multiple felony counts of insurance fraud,” McCormack said as she recounted news coverage and historical council concerns.
Neil Evans, an attorney who identified himself as representing Hadley Tow, told the council the charges are disputed and the company is negotiating with the district attorney. “These charges are disputed. They have the right to challenge them in court,” Evans said, adding that Hadley Tow has carried workers’ compensation insurance, has operated in the area since 1952, and has hired an interim manager, retired CHP officer Bruce Turner, to oversee operations. Evans asked the council to refrain from cancelling or suspending the contract while the legal process unfolds and warned that removing the company could lead to significant job losses.
After the closed‑session discussion, Collins reported: “Council accepted the Chiefs of Police recommendation to terminate the agreement with Hadley Tow at any time without cause upon 30 days written notice to the contractor. So staff will be issuing that notice as soon as possible.” The transcript does not include a roll‑call vote or tally in open session; the report indicates the council took the action during closed session and then announced the outcome in public.
The council adjourned after the report. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.
The decision came after two members of the public addressed the special meeting during the public‑comment period. Connie McCormack, who identified herself as a 30‑year Whittier resident, read recent news reporting that the owners of Hadley Tow were arrested and face felony charges related to alleged insurance fraud and payroll underreporting. McCormack said the case has drawn strong social‑media reaction and reminded the council that it renewed the towing contract in 2016 amid objections from the then police chief. “Two owners of Hadley Tow are facing multiple felony counts of insurance fraud,” McCormack said as she recounted news coverage and historical council concerns.
Neil Evans, an attorney who identified himself as representing Hadley Tow, told the council the charges are disputed and the company is negotiating with the district attorney. “These charges are disputed. They have the right to challenge them in court,” Evans said, adding that Hadley Tow has carried workers’ compensation insurance, has operated in the area since 1952, and has hired an interim manager, retired CHP officer Bruce Turner, to oversee operations. Evans asked the council to refrain from cancelling or suspending the contract while the legal process unfolds and warned that removing the company could lead to significant job losses.
After the closed‑session discussion, Collins reported: “Council accepted the Chiefs of Police recommendation to terminate the agreement with Hadley Tow at any time without cause upon 30 days written notice to the contractor. So staff will be issuing that notice as soon as possible.” The transcript does not include a roll‑call vote or tally in open session; the report indicates the council took the action during closed session and then announced the outcome in public.
The council adjourned after the report. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.
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