Lawsuit
In search of
a lawyer or law firm that has the stomach to punch our illegal competitors and
the city in the nose. A knock them sock em robot battle royale. A cab company
quarantine in the ancient city: Saint Augustine. Esquires and knights, bishops
and queens in a noble quest to vanquish greed and corruption in the business
world of taxis. An advocate, a royal champion is what we at Abraxi taxi need
help with. Either with the enforcement of city regulations, or the liquidation
of these fiats, and financial compensation, lawyer fees and penalties under the
(Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices
Act).
Not many
taxi companies have complied with the city of Saint Augustine taxi regulations
for many years. I do see their vehicles parked at the DoubleTree, the Plaza de
la Constitucion the two taxi stands on the square, taken over by golf carts in
downtown Saint Augustine. Vehicles have no medallions or medallions not current.
These cars/busses/low speed vehicles for for hire and pedicabs just travel
illegally from hotel to hotel picking up passengers and then taking them back,
we think we can prove they are costing us dearly and the day will come when injuries
may be more than just monetary. With the traffic conditions and alcohol fueled jaywalkers;
why is the city allowing these criminal elements operating without the proper requirements.
Sooner or later a debt will be due. The city should start being more proactive
then reactive or just not pass worthless non-binding statutes.
I have
looked some up of these illegal companies on sunbiz. org and a few are
registered: whether they have the proper business licenses, let alone the
required commercial insurance is debatable, but all will be revealed when Cory
the keeper of the city records and scrolls, deciphers the ancient script,
revealing collusion and corruption on a massive scale.
Most appear
to be operating illegally as transportation companies that lack proper
medallions if any and are doing serious financial damage to my company, Abraxi
Taxi. I would like to shut them down until they comply with what the city has
put forward. We believe this is deceptive unfair and a breach of contract
between these businesses and the city of Saint Augustine. It just comes down to
levelling the playing field. And, have them pay us the maximum amount allowed
in civil court. We have alerted the code enforcement division and the city
commission for allowing this to continue for over many years and despite my
repeated attempts for assistance, they have done nothing.
Almost every
transportation company whether cars, bikes or golf carts are not in compliance
with the city code. I have made everyone at City Hall aware of these
infractions but to no avail. Cory, our unofficial taxi commissioner, at the
water department on Bridge street: keeps a record of all the transportation
providers in the city. As an agent for the city manager she oversees hack and
business licenses, then double checks for commercial taxi insurance and the
master mechanics certification before accepting medallion payment. We can offer
proof of our compliance for the past several years, but this office can also prove
our case against all the other transportation providers that are operating as
Gypsy cabs: if we are allowed copies of the information they have provided and
on file. The city does send out notices for when medallions need updating. At
just fifty dollars for the medallion itself the only reason not to buy one
would be unsafe vehicles or lack of the proper insurances. Ignorance of the law
should not be a valid excuse for criminal behavior.
I think my
only recourse is to file suit against the companies who most egregiously ignore
these rules and regulations and does our company the most financial damage. I have
exhausted all other options and since the city will not or can not assist us
with this matter, we believe that our day in court is the last hope. We have a well-documented
paper trail and in person appearances with the city commissioners, past and
present assistant city attorneys, Cory and associates at the water department
and the head of code enforcement. We believe that our exercise in due diligence
has been exhausted, our hands are clean, and we have overwhelming evidence that
our competitors are cheating.
Along with
rideshares many companies are operating without proper insurance, business
licenses and of course the medallion required by the City of Saint Augustine. I
will be attaching a copy of taxi medallion due notice and will also provide the
complete statutes of the transportation code. We believe that our case is
strong and will surely prevail with a favorable ruling.
Steven
Ciccantelli
Owner Abraxi
Taxi
