Loophole Leaves Millions In Parking Tickets Unpaid

A KIRO 7 Consumer Investigation that asked "Who in Seattle is racking up the most unpaid parking tickets?" uncovered something much deeper: You don't have to pay your parking tickets if you don't want to.

We uncovered a costly loophole that's worth tens of millions of dollars.

While the City of Seattle is cutting and scrambling to balance its budget, Team 7 Investigators found $52 million left uncollected on the table.

We analyzed more than 1 million parking tickets, and not only did we find people who racked up hundreds of tickets, we found violators who have little or no incentive to pay.

In a city this big, this busy, this fast -- finding a place to park is no easy task.

"Cars are packed up tight against each other," said one motorist.

And while most drivers are successful in maneuvering for that perfect spot, some try to beat the system. But if you're caught, you pay the price -- at least you're supposed to.

"As it currently stands, there is no obligation for them to pay those outstanding tickets," said William Edwards, the Director of Parking Enforcement for the City of Seattle.

In a KIRO 7 Consumer Investigation, we found dozens upon dozens of people who've racked up as many as 200 parking tickets in a three-year period. And many of these people haven't paid a dime.

Mike Bessenyey, for example, as it stands, owes the City of Seattle more than $13,000 in fines.

And Matt Hickey owes Seattle more than $10,000.

"There's a few of us who think they like to pick on people," Hickey said.

This year, parking enforcement officers are on pace to hand out more than a half a million parking tickets.

"We should have some means to hold them accountable for those obligations," Edwards said.

And while most people pay their tickets, city records show that more than $52 million is owed in parking fines within a 10-year period.

"It's unacceptable. And those cars are parked and taking spaces all over the city. And those spaces aren't available for legitimate users," said Edwards.

We cruised the streets with Seattle's Parking Enforcement, looking for cars that had more than five unpaid parking tickets. Within 20 minutes, we found 18.

Seattle doesn't boot vehicles, and because the cars were parked legally they couldn't be towed away.

Quinlan: "How do you make these people pay for these tickets they've racked up, is there an easy answer?" Edwards: "I don't think there is an easy answer. I would say if you can find them and put a camera on them and a microphone in their face and say why aren't you paying? Maybe we'll have the answers to why somebody can get 50 plus tickets."

Good idea. So we tracked down Mike Bessenyey, who according to court records collected more than 150 parking tickets since 2007.

Quinlan: "We're doing a story about parking fines. And it happens you are the number one offender in the City of Seattle. You owe $13,000 in parking fines." Bessenyey: "No, you don't have the right guy." Quinlan: "Are you sure, man?" Bessenyey: "Yeah." Quinlan: "I got a copy here for you. Are you sure this isn't you?"

Bessenyey starts walking away.

Quinlan: "Are you planning to pay these fines back? I mean 13 grand is a lot of money. What do you think?"

We talked to Mike over the phone the following day to give him another chance to explain himself. He told us he would call us back, but never did.

Matt Hickey, on the other hand, talked to us. He, too, is one of the city's biggest parking offenders.

David: "Question is how come you're not paying the city 10,000 bucks in parking fines?" Hickey: "Because I don't have $10,000 right now. This is actually my cab right here. I'm actually going to a job interview right now to get some money."

"It does not seem fair. If you provide me the names I will gladly follow-up," said Seattle Councilmember Nick Licata.

We showed Licata our findings, including a top-ten list of parking offenders who've not only collected a grand total of more than 1,300 tickets but more than $60,000 in unpaid fines.

He says the City of Seattle has a contract with a private vendor that handles collection and that wages and bank accounts can be garnished.

Quinlan: "Do you think something needs to be changed?" Licata: "I think so. It's apparent. How can you see all this money owed and say that's the way it goes? That's not the proper attitude."

Washington State is one of five states in the country where the license plate follows the car and not the person. So when a car is sold, any outstanding tickets connected to the plate will eventually disappear.

And while the state requires people to pay their tickets in full before getting their tabs renewed, some people simply sell their car, buy a new one and start racking up tickets all over again.

So why not use the boot and keep the car impounded until the owner pays up?

Just ask the City of Olympia -- it works for them.

There if you have more than eight unpaid tickets your car gets the boot.

If you have more than 12 unpaid tickets, you get towed.

And the car's not yours until you pay up in full.