Ohio AG Sues Body Shop for Substandard Repairs, Scamming Customers
2/2/2010
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray claims a Columbus-based collision repair shop routinely failed to deliver promised discounts, performed shoddy work and violated the Do Not Call law, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
The complaint, filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, charges Mid-Ohio Collision LLC and its owner, Dominic Cimino, with multiple violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA) and Do Not Call law.
According to the lawsuit, the shop advertised its services by calling consumers who had been involved in car accidents, even when the consumers’ phone numbers were on the Do Not Call Registry.
“During these calls, Mid-Ohio offered consumers rebates for having their vehicles repaired with the company. Those rebates were never applied,” said Attorney General Cordray. “Similarly, Mid-Ohio offered consumers discounts of $500 or 20 percent to 25 percent off repair bills, but then never delivered the discounts.”
Consumers also claimed that Mid-Ohio performed substandard repairs, sometimes returning vehicles in worse condition than before the repair. In one case, a consumer said Mid-Ohio kept her vehicle for 10 months before beginning any repair work.
“This company shows clear disregard for the law,” said Cordray. “Consumers are being bilked out of hard-earned money at a time when every penny counts.”
In 2006, the Attorney General’s Office filed a similar lawsuit against Mid-Ohio, charging the company with Do Not Call and CSPA violations. A judge ruled in favor of the state in 2007, and although Mid-Ohio complied with the terms shortly after the judgment, it later resumed its consumer law violations, according to the lawsuit. In addition to this week’s complaint, Attorney General Cordray also filed a contempt action related to the 2006 proceeding.
The lawsuit asks the court for a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, restitution to consumers and civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation.
More information:
• View the
complaint against Mid-Ohio