(MEDINA, Ohio) — Attorney General Dave Yost today announced a consumer protection lawsuit against a used car dealership and its owner who failed to deliver vehicle titles to customers in northeast Ohio.
“A car buyer can expect one of two things after driving off a sales lot: a title or a refund,” Yost said. “When a buyer doesn’t get either, the dealership that sold the car can expect a lawsuit.”
The lawsuit accuses Thomas Ciatti Sr. and his business, Carite Medina, of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act. The dealership was located at 2700 Medina Rd. in Medina. It is no longer in operation.
Consumers filed nine complaints against the business with Yost’s office, most of them alleging that Ciatti never provided titles for cars purchased at the dealership. Ciatti took action to resolve some of the complaints but claimed he lacked the money needed to resolve all of them.
Yost’s Consumer Protection Section paid Ciatti’s customers a total of $13,462 from the Title Defect Recision Fund, a program that helps used car buyers resolve title problems.
The lawsuit filed in the Medina County Common Pleas Court seeks reimbursement from Ciatti and an order preventing him from holding a dealer or salesperson license until he repays the fund and complies with Ohio’s consumer protection laws.
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive sales practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
An accessible version of the linked file is available by request.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
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