COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against a Hilliard-based auto dealership and its owner for allegedly failing to provide consumers with motor vehicle titles.
Calland Auto Group LLC and Christopher Calland allegedly failed to obtain certificates of title for certain purchasers within the legally required time frame. DeWine's office provided consumers with $4,171 in reimbursement funds to resolve consumer complaints filed against Calland Auto Group.
"Getting the title to a vehicle is an important part of the car-buying process," DeWine said. "When car buyers have problems getting the title, we help them. We also take action against dealerships that fail to follow the law."
The lawsuit alleged Calland Auto Group and Christopher Calland of violating Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act. The suit seeks injunctive relief, declaratory relief, civil penalties and restitution to the Title Defect Recision Fund.
The Title Defect Recision Fund was created to administer refund to retail purchasers of motor vehicles who suffer damages from dealers who failed to provide a valid certificate of title in the purchaser's name within a given amount of time.
Under Ohio law, dealers have an obligation to refund all monies paid to the retail purchaser if the dealer fails to apply for a certificate title in the consumer's name within 30 days of the purchase date.
Ohio AG sues auto dealer
