United States v. City of San Antonio (W.D. Tex.)
On September 3, 2020, the United States filed a complaint and a proposed consent order in United States v. City of San Antonio (W.D. Tex.). The complaint alleges that San Antonio engaged in a pattern or practice of violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by auctioning, selling or otherwise disposing of vehicles owned by SCRA-protected servicemembers without court orders. The consent order requires San Antonio to pay $29,000 to a United States Air Force Staff Sergeant and $18,000 to a United States Army Specialist and establish a $150,000 settlement fund to compensate other servicemembers whose SCRA rights may have been violated. San Antonio will also pay a civil penalty of $62,029. The consent order has a term of eighteen months, requires the standard injunctive relief, including changes to policies and training, and provides for a total of $259,000 in monetary damages and civil penalties. The court entered the consent decree on September 17, 2020.