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Broadview cases still on uptick
Seth Wilkinson has a problem.The Warrenton resident said he bought a vehicle from Broadview Auto Sales on May 17, 2007.
"The gentleman that traded the truck had a lien on the truck. The dealership never satisfied his lien," Wilkinson said. "On or around March 19, 2008 the gentleman that traded the truck came and repossessed the truck from me."
Wilkinson said he filed a police report for a stolen vehicle, but Commonwealth's Attorney Jonathan Lynn told him that because the lien holder holds the title, there is no criminal intent.
"When you trade a vehicle in, you sign all of your rights to that vehicle over to the dealership. My lien holder is still holding me liable for the truck that I no longer have possession of," Wilkinson said.
To make matters worse, he claims he just got a letter saying he needs to "pay the full amount or $23,000" so that there is no legal action taken against him.
Wilkinson said he has contacted Warrenton attorney Scott Hook, who is trying to help him. But for now, he said he doesn't have a truck, a title or the money he owes.
Hook confirmed last week that Wilkinson has contacted him but said he had not been retained.
Even so, Hook — who has spoken with many people who claim they've been victimized — said Wilkinson's case is "typical" of the types of problems customers had at the former dealership which was located on Broadview Avenue in Warrenton.
In some cases, the existing liens on vehicles purchased from the dealership were never satisfied, or people were unable to obtain titles for vehicles purchased from Broadview, according to Hook.
Lynn said it his understanding that the Warrenton police have been investigating the complaints made against the dealership. Once the investigation is concluded, Lynn said his office will review reports to determine what, if any, action can be taken.
Warrenton Police Chief Connie Novak said her agency received the most recent report about the former business on Monday.
The Warrenton Police Department and Department of Motor Vehicles are working together on approximately 40 to 50 cases involving the former dealership, the chief said.
"Some of the cases overlap, some victims had more than one car involved," Novak explained. "We are currently looking at 15 indictments to pursue first."
According to court records, at least two people have tried to recoup their losses by filing civil suits in Fauquier County General District Court. The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff in one case; another was dismissed.
Court records also show that Broadview Auto Sales Inc., of Warrenton filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (in Alexandria) Jan. 28. The case was closed April 5 after a federal judge received notice that there were no assets from which the creditors could be paid.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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