For years, King City, Calif. has been the hub of a corruption scandal that goes as far as the city's police chief, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The owner of local towing company Miller's Towing Brian Miller, his brother and acting King City police chief Bruce Miller, and Sgt. Bobby Carrillo had charges brought against them last month by city prosecutors.

The three of them were charged in connection to allegedly targeting low-income immigrants by confiscating and selling their vehicles. Prosecutors suspect that Carrillo would pull people over for minor or no offenses and have their vehicles towed to Miller's Towing.

Often times, the mandatory 30-day impound fees would amount to high for the owner, they had to let it go, especially considering many of them were undocumented and didn't have a driver's license.

Allegedly, for every 10 to 15 cars that Carrillo had brought to the impound lot, Brian would give one to the sergeant, and once gave a vehicle to his brother Bruce.

According to the Times, many of the confiscated victims didn't know who or where to turn to, as they were afraid law enforcement would retaliate.

Attorney Michael Schwartz who represents Carrillo said the accused plan on pleading not-guilty and asked the public to reserve judgment until all the fact can come forward.

"My client is of Mexican heritage," Schwartz said, adding, "and any allegation that this is some form of singling out of a certain ethnic group is offensive."

The Monterey County district attorney also filed charges against the city's former longtime police chief, Nick Baldiviez, in connection to the corruption scandal along with allegedly also accepting improper gifts, possessing illegal weapons and imposing criminal threats, according to the Times.

The recent scandal has prompted a furious outcry from King City residents as civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union has come to their aid and to hold civil rights demonstrations.

Attorneys representing the victims of the scandal filed a federal civil lawsuit and class-action status to seek compensation.

Mickie Solorio Luna, League of United Latin American Citizens western regional vice president, spoke at one of the "know your rights" events, blasting the city's police force.

"They thought in this little town they could do what they did inside the Police Department and no one would know?" Luna asked. "Well, now we know ... Together we will fight for this cause."