NEWARK
- State Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
today filed administrative complaints
against one automotive dealer and two
auto body repair facilities who allegedly
committed multiple violations of the Consumer
Fraud Act and of the regulations governing
automotive advertising and repairs.
The State filed complaints
against the following:
- Performance
Dodge, Inc. in Woodbury,
-
Roderick John Mauro d/b/a Hot Rods Autobody
in Lakewood and Tom’s River, and
-
Steve Samiel d/b/a Steve’s Auto
Body Work in Garfield.
The State alleges that Performance Dodge,
Inc. violated the Consumer Fraud Act,
the Motor Vehicle Advertising Regulations
and the Automotive Repair Regulations
by, among other things, failing to honor
the financing terms of negotiated deals,
refusing or changing the terms of financing
offers, overcharging customers for licensing
and fees and failing to return customer
deposits.
The State alleges that Hot Rods Autobody
and Steve’s Auto Body Work violated
the Consumer Fraud Act and the Automotive
Repair Regulations by, among other things,
not being licensed to perform auto body
repairs, failing to itemize the repairs
to be made before work began, failing
to provide a detailed invoice and failing
to perform agreed upon repairs.
The State is seeking restitution for consumers,
civil penalties, reimbursement of its
attorneys’ fees and investigative
costs and future compliance with the Consumer
Fraud Act and related regulations.
Under the administrative complaint process,
Consumer Affairs or the Office of Administrative
Law will hold a hearing if the matter
is contested and will issue a ruling.