Former Michigan Ford Dealer pleads to fraud charges

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A former Ford Dealer Principal has pleaded no contest as charged to three felony fraud charges.

The Dealer was the former owner of a Ford Dealership in Whitehall Township, MI.

The fraud case involves failure to pay off existing loans on trade-in vehicles and failure to remit funds for Service Contracts and GAP plans.

The State Police investigated the matter and interviewed more than 400 victims allegedly defrauded by the Dealership. The Procecutor for the case indicated that there were only three charges filed because additional filings would not have increased the possible sentence exposure.

Interestingly, the victim in each of the three cases was listed as Vehicle One Warranty Service because they were the company that ended up paying for the Service Contracts.

Here's a link to the article: http://www.mlive.com/news/chronicle/...630.xml&coll=8

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A recent report indicated that the former Ford Dealer was sentenced to 10 months in prison with an additional 30 months of probation. He must also perform 100 hours of community service.

The Court Order also required that he pay restitution to the victims in the $300,000 Service Contract scam.

Here's a link to the news report: http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index...list=autonews2