WATERTOWN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 10 that Northern Taxi and its owner and operator, Christopher Crowningshield, will pay $2,500 in penalties and costs and make business practice changes after allegations of repeatedly violating state and local laws.
According to Schneiderman’s office, Crowningshield took advantage of refugees fleeing the United States by charging as much as $300 or more for a taxi ride from Plattsburgh to the Canadian border. The fee for that trip should normally be around $50 to $75.
“It’s no secret that we’ve seen intense fear in immigrant communities across New York in recent months. To take advantage of that fear for financial gain is simply unconscionable,” Schneiderman said. “Unfortunately, frightened and desperate people are the number one target of scammers. My office won’t hesitate to crack down on those seeking to take advantage of this climate of fear – and I urge anyone who suspects that they are the victim of a scam or price gouging to contact my office.”
Handling the case for New York was Glen Michaels, assistant attorney general in charge of the Plattsburgh Regional Office, under the direction of Marty Mack, executive deputy attorney general for the Division of Regional Offices.