The state Public Regulation Commission has imposed a $15,000 fine against longtime Española company Robert Seeds Towing Services.

The commission said the company, among other things, broke four state and commission rules after a nonconsensual tow late in 2010. The agency said the company then bought the towed vehicle at an auction after its owner was intentionally kept from recovering the vehicle.

The regulatory body said in a news release Wednesday that it closed the case this week.

Robert Seeds said Wednesday that he had worked to contact the owner of the vehicle, as he is required to do, and followed proper procedures regarding the vehicle.

He also said the state regulators never contacted him about any hearing on the matter. "I knew it had been lingering," he said, "but I had no clue they were having a hearing to decide my fate."

Seeds said he got a letter in the mail on Saturday saying he was being fined $7,500. He has since hired an attorney, he said.

"It's ridiculous for anybody to assume or think I wouldn't show up to save my livelihood," he said.

Seeds, a former city councilor, said he's been in business for more than 40 years and would do whatever it takes to defend his company.

He said the letter was a "bombshell" and that it threatened to take away his business permits.

The PRC originally issued a $7,500 fine but later voted to increase the fee to $15,000 "because they didn't feel the first fine covered all the violations," commission spokesman Arthur Bishop said.

Bishop said the commission did send a notice to Seeds about a hearing in October. He provided documents that show a hearing was set to accommodate Seeds' schedule after an original hearing date was rescheduled because it had been set for a state holiday.

Seeds has 30 days to pay the fine or the commission will suspend the company's operating authority. The commission also asked that the case be referred to law-enforcement authorities, according to the news release.

"This type of illegal business practice will not stand," Commissioner Doug Howe, who represents Española, said in a statement. "The PRC will ensure this case is given to proper authorities and that towing companies like this are prevented from harming consumers in the future."