Milwaukee To Confiscate Man’s House Over $50 Ticket

There is so much wrong with this story. 

Peter Tubic ignored a $50 parking fine in 2004, and on Monday, it cost him his $245,000 house.

In what city officials believe is the first case of its kind, the city foreclosed on Tubic’s house on W. Verona Court after repeated attempts to collect the fine - which over the years had escalated to $2,600 - had failed.

First, why did he get a fine for not having plates on a car in his driveway?  Last I checked, you didn’t have to register a car that was not being used on the public roads and was inoperable.  I understand from the story that it was a city ordinance.  If so, that ordinance is out of line and should be revised.  There’s no need to force people to register a car that is inoperable and on private property.

Second, under no circumstances is it reasonable for the government to confiscate something that is nearly 100 times more valuable than the amount owed.  Yes, the guy should pay his dang fine, but confiscating his house for it is completely absurd.  There are other penalties, besides the interest that has already accumulated, that the city could levy short of taking the guy’s house.  They could put a hold on any new permits.  They could cease any city services.  They could even impound the offending car.  But taking the house is a grievous abuse of power by the City of Milwaukee. 

Third, the man in question is clinically disabled. 

According to the Social Security Administration, Tubic, 62, has been disabled since 2001. He has been diagnosed with psychological disorders that limit his “ability to understand, remember and carry out detailed instructions,” according to documents from the administration.

In addition he suffers from chronic pain caused by degenerative diseases of the knees and spine, as well as chronic respiratory disease, diabetes and obesity, among other ailments.

In several lengthy conversations with the P.I. Team spanning two weeks, Tubic frequently grunted in pain and broke down in tears.

“They’re trying to take my house away for a parking violation,” Tubic said. “I know it was my own fault for letting it drag on, I’ve been under mental duress. I haven’t been able to handle this.”

Clearly this man has some issues.  That doesn’t excuse his not paying the fine, but it should be taken into account before taking his house away for a $50 ticket. 

Fourth, the government’s proposed remedy will make it worse.  This man is disabled and mentally incapable of handling his affairs.  But at least he has a home that is paid off and some stability.  If they take away his home, what will become of him?  Will he be forced onto the public dole so that he can afford to rent a place?  Will he become homeless and require space in shelters?  How much more than $50 will it cost the taxpayers if the city takes his home away? 

The City of Milwaukee is playing this thing by the rules, but somewhere along the line there should have been a little common sense injected into this situation.