San Francisco parking app shuts down service

SAN FRANCISCO -- The company behind a mobile app that allowed San Francisco drivers to get paid for the public parking spaces they exit says it has temporarily shut down service following an order from the city attorney to stop its operations.

MonkeyParking says it "temporarily disabled" its bidding service in San Francisco on Thursday, a day before City Attorney Dennis Herrera's July 11 deadline to cease operations or face a lawsuit.

MonkeyParking CEO Paolo Dobrowolny said in an e-mail Friday that his company is working with its lawyers and wants to operate in full collaboration with city officials.

Dobrowolny said last month his company doesn't sell parking spots, but convenience, citing freedom of speech.

Herrera spokesman Matt Dorsey says the city attorney's office will wait until after Friday's deadline before commenting or taking further action.