The battle over who controls Austin’s newest taxi franchise took an unexpected turn Friday, April 13, as Austin Cab Co. sued Solomon Kassa, whose Lone Star Cab Co. was awarded the franchise on first reading.
The petition from Austin Cab – an established company not vying for the franchise or new permits – deals with the time Kassa spent in their employ and statements he made “as recently as” the April 5 City Council franchise hearing. It deals with Kassa’s relationship with Austin Cab, detailing his supposed reluctance to pay a $1,000 cab deposit in one chunk – instead depositing $10 weekly into the fund, garnering only $197.25 over eight months – seemingly attempting to paint Kassa as a spendthrift. (As you might imagine, Austin Cab doesn’t support Lone Star’s franchise bid.) The plaintiff’s petition says this was the reason for Kassa’s firing not that Austin Cab got wind of Kassa’s plans to start his own company. Austin Cab cites another “false statement,” that Austin Cab would fire driver/operators that “vocalized support for Mr. Kassa or any competing cab company.” While Kassa focused on his proposal’s merits at council, his attorney, Doug Young, described how Kassa was fired soon after bringing his business plan to the Urban Transportation Committee, saying, “It’s not safe for Lone Star drivers to come and advocate for Lone Star today.” Reached for comment, Kassa was surprised but doesn’t anticipate the suit hurting his chances. “Obviously, we’re going to countersue.” Council is scheduled to approve the franchise on second reading tomorrow.
Fun fact: Did you know Austin Cab’s legal company name is Harlem Cab? For more tidbits, poke around Austin Cab impresario Ron Means‘ Web site. Like most of the characters involved in the city’s taxi saga, he’s an interesting dude, to say the least.
This article appears in April 13 • 2007.