Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a $540,000 settlement on Monday with the American Suzuki Motor Corporation resolving allegations that a former dealership used deceptive advertisements.
Chad Franklin Suzuki, a former dealer for the American Suzuki Motor Corporation located in the Kansas City area, allegedly ran deceptive ads from 2007 to 2008 promising that consumers could buy a Suzuki for "no payments for life" or for monthly payments of less than $100.
The settlement will give restitution to Missouri consumers who bought vehicles from one of Franklin's Kansas City-area auto dealerships.
"The marketing practices of Chad Franklin and his dealerships in Kansas City were deceptive and harmed many Missouri consumers," Koster said. "American Suzuki Motor Corporation's willingness to provide restitution to individuals harmed by the Franklin dealerships was instrumental in our decision to enter into this settlement agreement."
Most of the settlement, $500,000, will be available for consumer restitution. The remaining $40,000 of the settlement fund will be paid to the state of Missouri to cover the costs of the case.