By Natalie Pompilio, Inquirer Staff Writer
Allen Iverson has racked up more than $1,600 worth of outstanding parking tickets on his 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom, most of them related to handicapped-parking violations.
But in the world of big-time scofflaws, the Sixers' all-star guard is a mere benchwarmer.
One Philadelphia man owes the Philadelphia Parking Authority $20,000 in ticket fees and fines. A handful of others owe more than $10,000, said Richard Dickson, the authority's director of on-street parking. The biggest violators are having civil judgements filed against them.
"You can't just ignore the law and expect nothing will ever happen," Dickson said. "It's not fair to people who are trying to do the right thing."
Iverson isn't at the civil-suit stage. In fact, he's only just reaching the "boot eligible" stage.
Since November 2003, Iverson's Rolls has amassed 14 tickets. Six of those were paid. He is appealing the five most recent tickets, which he received in June when his luxury vehicle - which has a suggested retail value of $320,000 - was found parked in a handicapped parking space at Philadelphia International Airport. Those five tickets total $1,300, plus a $190 charge for late payment.
Vehicles become eligible for the boot after their owners fail to pay three outstanding tickets. After the third ticket, violators have 45 days to cough up the cash. The Parking Authority then sends the owners a warning allowing 30 more days for payment.
Iverson, Dickson said, "is close. He's soon to be boot eligible."
Iverson, 29, is in Athens playing on the Olympic team and could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Larry Woodward, is on vacation and did not respond to a request for comment.
Allen Iverson has racked up more than $1,600 worth of outstanding parking tickets on his 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom, most of them related to handicapped-parking violations.
But in the world of big-time scofflaws, the Sixers' all-star guard is a mere benchwarmer.
One Philadelphia man owes the Philadelphia Parking Authority $20,000 in ticket fees and fines. A handful of others owe more than $10,000, said Richard Dickson, the authority's director of on-street parking. The biggest violators are having civil judgements filed against them.
"You can't just ignore the law and expect nothing will ever happen," Dickson said. "It's not fair to people who are trying to do the right thing."
Iverson isn't at the civil-suit stage. In fact, he's only just reaching the "boot eligible" stage.
Since November 2003, Iverson's Rolls has amassed 14 tickets. Six of those were paid. He is appealing the five most recent tickets, which he received in June when his luxury vehicle - which has a suggested retail value of $320,000 - was found parked in a handicapped parking space at Philadelphia International Airport. Those five tickets total $1,300, plus a $190 charge for late payment.
Vehicles become eligible for the boot after their owners fail to pay three outstanding tickets. After the third ticket, violators have 45 days to cough up the cash. The Parking Authority then sends the owners a warning allowing 30 more days for payment.
Iverson, Dickson said, "is close. He's soon to be boot eligible."
Iverson, 29, is in Athens playing on the Olympic team and could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Larry Woodward, is on vacation and did not respond to a request for comment.
