Pennsylvania State Police filed criminal charges last week against a Forest City car dealership for allegedly engaging in deceptive business practices.
According to the affidavit filed by Tpr. Eric Burns in Clifford District Court, Allan Hornbeck Chevrolet failed to comply with a contract with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation by making late submissions for customers’ vehicles that were purchased at the dealership.
In particular, according to the complaint, one vehicle was sold on Oct. 9, 2020 and the submission was not made until March 26 of this year – more than the allowed 20 days. The vehicle owner’s registration had expired and they weren’t able to legally use the vehicle for transportation.
The dealership was also charged on misdemeanor counts for failing to keep accurate records of vehicle sales and dispositions; tampering with records, as well as summary counts of substantial misrepresentation of facts, engaging in unprofessional conduct, issuing a false tax report, and violating the rules and regulations of the motor vehicle code.
According to the affidavit, Forest City Police Chief Lee Rowan contacted Tpr. Burns after he responded to a call at Allan Hornbeck Chevrolet for two “unhappy and unruly” customers. Rowan handled the call but advised the people to contact state police regarding the car deal. The two had purchased the car months prior to the March 3 incident but had not received the registration.
The trooper verified the vehicle was still titled to its previous owner and the registration plate had not been transferred from the victim’s vehicle.
The victim related to police that he believed he was purchasing an all-wheel drive vehicle but it was front wheel drive and felt he was taken advantage of because they did not speak English well.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled to be held in the matter on June 1.
Another criminal case filed against the dealership stemming from an incident on March 21, 2020 has been sent to the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas. That case is set to head to trial in May.
Please know that the Hornbeck family has sold the dealership and the name about 4 years ago. The Hornbeck family is saddened to hear what happened to once a wonderful dealership. It breaks our hearts to hear this news. Please go somewhere else!
This has been going on since the day it changed hands. I have proof!