Wisconsin to Accelerate Dealer Fraud Investigations

MADISON, Wis. — A bill that would fast-track investigations into complaints of auto retail fraud heads to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ desk this week after winning approval in both houses of the state legislature, WBAY reports. The bill was co-sponsored by State Sen. Robert Cowles and State Rep. David Steffen, both Republicans from Green Bay.

Cowles told WBAY the bill would ensure future investigations can conclude in “a few weeks to a month” and authorize consumer protection agencies to “force this person to close their doors” earlier in the process. The lawmaker made reference to an ongoing probe into Standard Pre-Owned, an auto consignment provider with locations in Kaukauna and Suamico. Local authorities turned the case over to the FBI shortly after serving a search warrant at the Suamico store.

“From 2014 to 2016, dozens of vehicles on consignment at the car dealership Standard Pre-Owned were sold despite the original vehicle owner not being notified or receiving compensation,” Cowles said. “While complaints flooded into DOT, more Northeast Wisconsin residents found themselves defrauded by Standard Pre-Owned as the lengthy and tedious process of license revocation failed to protect Wisconsinites in these consignment sales.”

Click here to read the WBAY report.