Business owner claims false arrest, conspiracy by Roanoke Rapids police to shut her down

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WITN) – A woman claims that members of an Eastern Carolina police department conspired with others to bring about false charges that eventually led to her business closing its doors.

Vivian Pompliano filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Friday against Roanoke Rapids and three of its police officers.

Pompliano owned Pomp Boys Motors, a business that specialized in classic car restoration on Julian Allsbrook Highway.

In the lawsuit, Pompliano claims she was harassed by police and eventually criminal charges were brought against her to protect existing local car shops in the area.

Those charges of exploitation of elder/disabled person, were filed in June of 2022. The lawsuit says in March a prosecutor dismissed the charges saying there was insufficient evidence to continue.

The action says the charges involved Pomp Boys customers who had mechanic leans placed against their vehicles after they either refused to pay for the work or never picked up their vehicles.

The lawsuit says because of the publicity, the shop lost customers and was forced to close.

WITN has reached out to Roanoke Rapids for a reaction to the lawsuit being filed, but so far have yet to hear a response.

You can read the entire filed complaint below:

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