Pat's reinstated by AAA.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Lee Hammel

WORCESTER - Pat's Service Center and Towing has been restored to providing service for AAA Southern New England customers, a AAA official said yesterday.

The towing business at 5 Shrewsbury St. was returned to the AAA fold two weeks ago, according to Lloyd Albert, senior vice president for public and government affairs.

AAA severed its 24-year relationship with Pat's in February after five men, including employees of Pat's, were charged with beatings at the service center. The organization took action one day after the five men, including two sons of owner Patsy Santa Maria Sr., were arraigned in Worcester Superior Court on charges of assault, kidnapping and civil rights violations.

Mr. Albert said in an email last night, "Recently, our Automotive Services staff learned from the owner of Pat's Towing that no one involved in alleged wrongdoing at the towing facility is currently employed by the tower."

He also wrote, "All of Pat's remaining employees engaged in the towing business have recently passed AAA's rigorous background checks, a requirement that extends to all of AAA's contract towers. In light of this information, we elected to resume sending roadside assistance calls to Pat's earlier this month."

Pat's also has towing contracts with the city of Worcester.

In February, Mary Maguire, AAA director of public and legislative affairs, said in revoking the contract that "Given the seriousness of the charges, we thought this was the most prudent form of action." She said Pat's had a good record of AAA member satisfaction but the serious nature of the charges prompted AAA to make a "permanent change."

Mr. Santa Maria did not return a call seeking comment last night.

But he said in...