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Towing owner says Pittsburgh, police chief are in contempt of court

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A tow truck company owner said Pittsburgh and its police chief are in contempt of a court order that's supposed to prevent police from enforcing a new state law prohibiting tow truck operators from soliciting business at accident scenes.

The law was passed in July, but has been challenged by John Halbleib, who contends federal motor carrier laws preempt the state law and the policy enacted by Chief Nate Harper in August to have his officers enforce it.

According to Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE, a federal magistrate has issued a court order preventing Pittsburgh police from enforcing the law while Halbleib's lawsuit is pending, but Halbleib said city police keep shooing his tow trucks from accident scenes in contempt of the court's order.

Halbleib's attorney and a city spokeswoman declined comment.