Mississippi KIA Dealer faces Fraud Charges

[XDCX]

News reports indicate that Tommy Parker, former owner of Parker KIA in Columbus, is facing fraud charges for not paying off trade liens and selling used cars with existing liens. For the full news report - click here (http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=6260)

I thought the case was interesting because it illustrates how slowly the wheels of justice turn - Parker was arrested 15 months ago and the transactions in question happened 18 months ago. Parker's trial was supposed to start this week.

The other reason the story caught my interest concerned the failure of a KIA store. Parker reportedly owned the store for 10 years before he began having financial problems.

To the extent KIA's a hot franchise and the dealer operated the store for 10 years it seems odd he'd have financial problems. I wonder if there's more to the story?

[Txflyer]

There was a Kia dealer in Arlington TX in a similar situation: http://www.byownerautosales.com/Arlington_Kias_closing_leaves_a_trail_of_unmet_pro mises_22_mar_2009.htm

[crowe]

Stupidity & dishonesty can screw up even good territories & brands.
The success of a KIA store, like any other franchises is determined largely by the actions of the dealer principle. Fish start to stink from the head down not the tail up.

[XDCX]

There was a Kia dealer in Arlington TX in a similar situation: http://www.byownerautosales.com/Arlington_Kias_closing_leaves_a_trail_of_unmet_pro mises_22_mar_2009.htm

Wow, that case is even worse than the one in Mississippi.

Any idea if that dealer has ever been criminally charged? Leaving 233 customers with title problems and $250K+ in unpaid sales tax will land you in prison in many states.

Additionally, I never knew Texas issued Dealer Licenses to a "location" instead of a "person" - I'd never heard of that before. :confused:

[Txflyer]

Any idea if that dealer has ever been criminally charged? Leaving 233 customers with title problems and $250K+ in unpaid sales tax will land you in prison in many states.
Not sure what (if any) charges have been filed, but the dealer is still walking the streets.