GASTON COUNTY, N.C. – A Gaston County tow company is set to face trial for alleged illegal towing practices, with the City of Gastonia initiating legal action against Jack's Towing and Recovery Service, LLC. The civil lawsuit filed on March 20, 2026, accused the company, owned by Marshall Gregory, of conducting unauthorized tows from private parking lots and refusing to accept credit card payments from customers.
The complaint details several incidents where Jack's Towing is alleged to have towed vehicles from private properties across Gastonia, including a church. According to social media reports, affected individuals were charged upwards of $1,000 to retrieve their vehicles.
Under Gastonia's Code of Ordinances, towing services are forbidden from conducting trespass tows from private parking lots without complying with specific regulations. Sections 8-377 and 8-378 of the ordinance dictate that tow companies must meet certain minimum standards, including posting visible notice signs and allowing payment methods such as credit and debit cards.
The business, administratively dissolved by the North Carolina Secretary of State on November 21, 2025, for failing to file an annual report, was later reinstated on or around March 20, 2026.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued a warning to towing companies across the state in July, stating that his office would aggressively pursue those accused of predatory towing practices. "If you're a towing company that follows the rules, you're good to go," Jackson said. "But if you're making a buck by breaking the law, we've got a new playbook for going after you, and we will."
Court documents reveal that Gregory denies the allegations made in the complaint, rejecting any suggestion of unlawful conduct. Gregory stated in his response to the complaint that he is "not personally liable for the obligations, debts, or alleged ordinance violations of Jack's Towing solely by reason of being its member, owner, manager, or other limited liability company official."
The City of Gastonia is seeking an injunction to prevent the company from violating city towing ordinances in the future. The trial is scheduled to take place on July 12, 2027.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding the practices of tow companies and the need for stricter regulations to protect consumers. As cities and states continue to tackle these issues, it remains to be seen how the legal system will address such violations and ensure the fair treatment of individuals when their vehicles are towed.
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