- The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 17, 2015

A storage unit owner who is accused of selling service members’ belongings while they were overseas is now facing a federal lawsuit.

Prosecutors said Daniel Homan, owner of storage company Across Town Movers in San Diego, California, cleaned out and sold the contents of storage lockers used by 11 members of the military.

The Serivcemembers Civil Relief Act includes provisions that prohibit storage owners from putting liens on service members’ rented lockers while they’re on active duty, unless the company has a specific court order.

But the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department claims that Mr. Homan sold the contents without permission from a court. In addition, he’s accused of selling the contents of one storage locker despite still receiving payments for the rent.

“Service members, especially when deployed overseas, should be able to focus on protecting our county and shouldn’t have to worry about losing their personal property,” said Laura Duffy, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California.

Reporters who called the company were told a spokesperson would get back to them.

The Justice Department on Monday also cracked down on a second San Diego storage company — American Mini Storage. Three owners of the company pleaded guilty for conspiring to defraud investors out of half a million dollars.

• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.

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