UPP Global, which owns lots near beaches across Tampa Bay, recently settled a class action lawsuit and has faced litigation from attorneys general in other states.

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — When John Connallon came back to his car after a trip to the boardwalk at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, he was surprised to see a ticket on his vehicle. 

“I could see a little white tag on my car. And I had the receipt, and I still had like two or three minutes to go,” he said. 

It’s a common complaint against the company that owns the private lot in the 200 block of Boardwalk Place East. Through public records, 10 Investigates received pages of consumer complaints to the Florida Office of the Attorney General against UPP Global, operating locally as Florida Parking Co. The parking lots in question range in location from Clearwater to Sarasota. Currently, UPP Global operates in multiple states along the country’s Eastern Seaboard. 

A Madeira Beach official said the city has received complaints against UPP Global’s lot at John’s Pass as well. 

“The rates are ridiculous,” Connallon said. The city parking lot is $4 an hour. This place is $20 for the first two hours.”

Andrew Belzer of St. Pete says he was also ticketed more than $60 in John’s Pass before his metered time was up.

“When you take money from hardworking people, right, that are just trying to enjoy their day — we’re just trying to sit and have ice cream,” he said. “I’ve paid for my parking. And $63 may not seem like a lot to a lot of people, but to me it’s a lot more, right?”

Belzer said he would like to see the company shut down and held accountable in a courtroom. 

10 Investigates learned that it is already happening. Last year, Vermont’s attorney general secured a $150,000 settlement after accusing UPP Global of deceptive ticketing practices. 

Rhode Island’s attorney general also sued the company over similar concerns. A state spokesperson told 10 Investigates in an email, “The lawsuit is currently in discovery and no trial has been set as of yet.”

Florida’s attorney general has not taken any action at this point, but court records out of Pinellas County show UPP Global settled a class action lawsuit for $650,000 last year. People who got a Florida citation from the company between April 2022 and April 2025 could be eligible for payments. 

UPP Global is now owned by a company called Towne Park. A spokesperson said in a statement to 10 Investigates: “Since the acquisition of UPP Global in August 2024, we have implemented comprehensive processes to ensure full compliance with all applicable parking and other local, state, and federal laws in every state where we operate, including Florida. We are equally committed to upholding fair and transparent consumer practices across our operations.” 

UPP Global’s citations are not government-issued tickets, so there are no criminal penalties. However, they might tow vehicles or threaten to send customers to collections. Drivers should check signs before choosing a place to park, as city-owned lots are often cheaper with fewer parking penalties. 

Emerald Morrow is an investigative reporter with 10 Tampa Bay News. Like her on Facebook or email her at emorrow@10tampabay.com.