Woman Faces $105K in Fines After Ex Registers Car In Her Name
Chicago Woman Hit with $105,000 in Parking Fines Due to Ex-Boyfriend’s Fraud
In an extraordinary case of vehicle registration fraud, Jennifer Fitzgerald, a Chicago resident, found herself burdened with $105,000 in parking fines after her ex-boyfriend illegally registered a car in her name and abandoned it at O’Hare International Airport. This case, which resulted in the highest parking fines ever recorded in Chicago, highlights the risks of vehicle misuse and legal loopholes in registration processes.
The Unfolding of a Costly Nightmare
The ordeal began in 2008 when Fitzgerald’s then-boyfriend purchased a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo for $600. Without her consent, he registered the car in her name and later abandoned it in an employee parking lot at O’Hare International Airport. Over the next two years, the car remained unmoved, accumulating a staggering 678 parking tickets, pushing the fines to an unprecedented $105,000.
Despite its prolonged presence and the growing number of violations, the vehicle was not towed for over two and a half years. Fitzgerald only became aware of the issue when her driver’s license was suspended, and she appeared on Chicago’s “Top 100 Scofflaw List.”
Legal Battle and Settlement
Shocked and overwhelmed, Fitzgerald filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago and her ex-boyfriend, arguing that she had no control over the vehicle. After a prolonged legal battle, the city agreed to reduce the fine to $4,470 as part of a settlement. Her ex-boyfriend was ordered to make an initial payment of $1,600, while Fitzgerald agreed to a manageable monthly payment plan of $78 to settle the remaining balance.
Lessons Learned
This case serves as a cautionary tale about vehicle registration misuse and highlights the importance of staying vigilant about personal records. It also underscores the necessity for legal reforms to prevent such situations from happening to innocent individuals.
In the end, Fitzgerald managed to fight back against an overwhelming financial burden, shedding light on the importance of protecting oneself from fraudulent activity involving vehicle ownership and registration.
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