Monroe, MI – Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough and county officials prevailed this week in a long-running lawsuit brought by Rockwood Auto, Rockwood Towing, and Jack Poli, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued its decision on September 10, 2025, affirming a prior ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Both courts found in favor of Monroe County and Sheriff’s Office officials on all counts, rejecting claims that alleged unlawful searches, contract violations, and constitutional rights infringements.
According to court documents, plaintiffs argued that Sheriff Goodnough and Chief Deputy Michael Preadmore unlawfully searched Rockwood Auto property during a 2022 vehicle inventory audit. The court disagreed, finding the searches were lawful and supported by proper consent. The plaintiffs also claimed changes to the towing rotation list and the awarding of fleet maintenance contracts violated their rights. Judges ruled that the decisions were made for rational reasons and not personal bias.
In a statement, Sheriff Goodnough said he was “pleased to finally get to the end of this process of defending these meritless allegations,” adding that the case cost the county valuable time and resources. He praised county attorneys for presenting facts that supported the Sheriff’s Office.
Despite the legal dispute, Sheriff Goodnough noted that Rockwood Towing remains on the county’s non-preference towing list, describing the decision as consistent with good public policy and in the best interest of the community.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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