(CLEVELAND)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a Cleveland-area used car seller accused of failing to deliver vehicle titles to consumers.
The lawsuit seeks reimbursement from Champion Marketing Group LLC and its owner, Patricia A. DeCapua, after the Attorney General’s Office paid out nearly $14,000 to help consumers who failed to receive a title within 40 days of buying a vehicle from the dealership.
“It’s frustrating for consumers to be unable to get the title to a car they’ve already paid for,” Attorney General DeWine said. “In this case, we helped consumers resolve title problems, and now we’re seeking reimbursement from the seller and protection for future consumers.”
Champion Marketing Group sold used vehicles, most recently at 4489 W. 130th St. in Cleveland. It previously had locations on W. 140th St., on Lorain Avenue, on Stanford, and on Yorkshire Road, according to the Attorney General’s lawsuit.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received approximately 20 complaints against Champion Marketing Group. Most complaints involved title problems. The Attorney General’s Office helped consumers resolve complaints, in some cases by making payments from the Title Defect Rescission Fund, which helps consumers when a dealership fails to provide a title as required by law.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, accuses Champion of violating Ohio’s Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act and Consumer Sales Practices Act. The lawsuit seeks an end to any violations of these laws, reimbursement to the Title Defect Rescission Fund, restitution for affected consumers, and civil penalties.
Consumers who have title problems or other consumer complaints should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Lawsuit (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840