Firm Suspended for Handling of Bronco

Viertel’s Automotive Service received a 15-day suspension Tuesday from the Los Angeles Police Commission for the company’s failure to properly handle O.J. Simpson’s Ford Bronco.

The commission adopted a staff recommendation to suspend the company’s towing permit because an employee removed papers from a vehicle in an “evidentiary hold” area, and because it failed to safeguard all the articles in an impounded vehicle and report a possible crime in a timely manner.

The suspension is the latest embarrassment for Viertel’s, which was thrust into the international spotlight because of the Simpson double-murder case. Former Viertel’s tow truck driver John J. Meraz, who admitted during testimony that he removed receipts from the Bronco and initially lied when confronted about it, is suing the company for firing him.

The company, which has a long history of towing vehicles for the city, agreed to settle the disciplinary matter with the 15-day suspension.

Charles Cummings, a lawyer for company President Richard Viertel, said it is unknown how much the suspension will cost the company. The company is fighting the suit by Meraz, who towed Simpson’s Bronco from the Rockingham estate to a police garage, Cummings said.

“Mr. Viertel is certainly embarrassed by what his former employee did,” Cummings said in an interview. “It’s cost Mr. Viertel money. It’s cost him embarrassment. It jeopardized his ability to conduct his business.”