Action News Investigator Heather Catallo broke the story about allegations of double dealing by Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury, now she's found dozens more people who say they traded in their cars, only to find themselves still stuck with the bill.
HEATHER REPORTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHTHeather's Script: STU EVANS UPDATE
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Tonight the Action News Investigators reveal new information on a story Heather Catallo broke earlier this month… about a well-known car dealership that’s accused of taking vehicle trade-ins.. without paying off the cars… leaving customers high and dry.
Heather has discovered dozens of possible new victims, and she joins us now with the details.
When I brought you this story about the problems with Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury… I told you about six different people who had come forward to police… saying the dealership did not pay off their trades-ins.
Now police are telling us… there are 33 people facing bills for cars they no longer own.
Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury was once one of the biggest Lincoln Mercury dealerships in the country.
Now the mega-dealership sits practically empty on Hall Rd.… and dozens of customers are furious.
[Willard Purchase/Frustrated Customer] “You get the run around.”
Earlier this month – the Action News Investigators showed you how Willard and Jeanne Purchase… and Keith and Wendy Kiefer were both battling the dealership.
[Keith Kiefer/Frustrated Customer] “So I basically gave somebody my car.”
Both couples say when they traded in their old vehicles… Stu Evans agreed to pay off the remaining liens owed on the cars. But the couples say Stu Evans never paid off the liens… and now they’re getting calls from creditors.
[Wendy Kiefer/Frustrated Customer] “This is going to put our credit in the gutter.”
Clinton Township police say they now know that Stu Evans failed to pay off a total of 33 liens.. liens that total $412,812.22.
So why wouldn’t a dealership pay off the cars that are traded in? According to the dealership’s general manager – Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury is going out of business.
The Action News Investigators have obtained court records that give some insight into how the business has been run.
One lawsuit points fingers at two of the owners, John and Stu Evans. The suit accuses them of taking millions from the dealership, to buy a yacht, a drag racing team, show horses, and to pay top salaries to family members.
Ford Motor Credit is also suing Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury. Earlier this month, they asked for a judgment of $1,800,268.26 for not paying Ford for vehicles. Ford Credit has since seized the dealerships inventory.
Other legal records show that John Evans’ own attorney is trying to be removed from the case.. because Evans won’t communicate with his attorney -- and hasn’t paid more than $60,000 in legal bills.
So what about people like the Kiefers… who are now being told they owe thousands of dollars on a car they no longer own?
Managers from Stu Evans say another Lincoln Mercury dealership is in the process of trying to buy Stu Evans… and as part of that deal – managers say all of the 33 outstanding liens will be paid.
Stu Evans officials say finalizing that sale is in the hands of Ford Motor Company.
Stu Evans Managers have been talking about that deal, though, for several weeks now, and it still hasn’t gone through – so dozens are families are stuck waiting.
I should point out, the Macomb County Prosecutor is also investigating to see if anyone from Stu Evans Lincoln Mercury should face criminal charges.
