More Corruption in North Tonawanda as Towing Contract Dispute Sparks Allegations of Political Favoritism

A legal battle is underway in North Tonawanda over a disputed towing contract with a local business owner accusing city officials of steering the deal toward a politically connected competitor. All of this under the city leadership of Mayor Austin Tylec.

Michael Bellreng, owner of Bellreng’s Towing, has grown his company over two decades from a single truck operation into a four-location service provider across Niagara and Erie counties.

When the city sought bids last year for a one-year towing agreement with the police department, Bellreng submitted a competitive proposal and believed his track record made him a strong contender.

In June 2024, the North Tonawanda Police Department issued a request for proposals for towing services. Bellreng’s Towing, already working with several area municipalities, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Parks Police, and AAA, was viewed as qualified. During a trial period sharing calls with the city’s existing contractor, United Towing, no formal complaints were recorded against Bellreng’s service.

However, when the Common Council met the following month to approve the contract, the decision was delayed. The police department, in the meantime, adopted a permit-based rotation system that temporarily kept Bellreng in the mix alongside United Towing while council members continued to debate the final award.

By November, the council moved forward with an entirely different plan, granting United Towing a five-year exclusive contract and removing Bellreng from city work altogether. The change from a one-year rotational agreement to a multi-year exclusive deal drew criticism from the mayor, who vetoed the decision, citing concerns about fairness and legal risk. The veto was ultimately overridden by the council.

Subsequent reporting revealed close ties between members of the council and United Towing. One council member - Joe Lavey - works for a parent company affiliated with the towing firm and is listed as a contact on its website. Campaign finance records also show that multiple council members received contributions from United Towing and related businesses.

Bellreng’s lawsuit, filed in Niagara County State Supreme Court, alleges that these relationships influenced the outcome of the bidding process and that the contract was intentionally directed toward the politically connected company.

Government transparency advocates say altering the terms of a bidding process after proposals have been submitted undermines public trust and raises ethical questions. The lawsuit seeks to have the court overturn the council’s decision, reimburse Bellreng’s legal costs, and award him a city towing contract.

The case was recently argued in court and a ruling is pending. As the dispute continues, it has fueled broader debate about political influence, contract transparency, and accountability in North Tonawanda’s municipal government.

More Corruption in North Tonawanda as Towing Contract Dispute Sparks Allegations of Political Favoritism