Feds: Bankruptcy scam freed impounded vehicles

The scam was perhaps as crafty as it was criminal. A Chicago man was arrested Thursday for soliciting payoffs from drivers whose vehicles had been impounded by the city. The scheme involved filing phony bankruptcy petitions to avoid paying the often hefty auto pound fees, federal prosecutors alleged. The bankruptcy filing put an automatic hold on fines and triggered the release of the vehicle. Authorities announced charges against Daniel Rankins, 30, and alleged that others were involved in the scheme as well. The investigation continues, they said. read more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-feds-bankruptcy-scam-freed-impounded-vehicles-20130425,0,2232213.story