NYC man spends $7,500 to fight $115 parking ticket

[December 08, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A retired New York City man says he's spent $7,500 fighting a $115 parking ticket because he's got "nothing else to do."

Former electrical hardware firm vice president Simon Belsky says he was erroneously ticketed two years ago. The 63-year-old says the ticket cites his van for blocking a Brooklyn fire hydrant even though the only hydrant on the street was down the block.

The November 2006 fine has ballooned from $115 to about $200 with penalties.

Belsky was in court last week and is due back Feb. 2. He says if he wins he'll file a civil suit against the city to recover the $7,500 he's spent on legal work. He says if any compensation is awarded he'll donate it to educational programs.

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Information from: New York Post, http://www.nypost.com/

[Associated Press]

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