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Alleged racist's reputation hurts collison shop

Posted at 10:24 PM, Apr 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-15 22:24:11-04

An Ann Arbor auto body shop is feeling the brunt of mistaken identity, targeted for the alleged racism of another similarly named mechanic.

There are two Whitneys in town and the one we spoke with says: Please don’t confuse us with him.

The 7 investigators have been digging into the strange case of Whitney Passino all week. He is the owner of Whitney’s Tire and Auto of Ann Arbor. His business has also gone by the name of Briarwood Auto Care - up until he was evicted last month.

He’s accused of using derogatory language towards gays and hurling racial slurs at black customers.

Finding Passino is just as shady as those comments.

When we called his business number, the man on the other line refused to identify himself and refused to answer basic questions about the business and the accusations of racism.

We went to his listed home address and a woman claiming to be his mother told us he didn’t actually live there.

Sources told 7 Action News Passino is shacking up with another local auto place. When we came knocking tonight no one was there.

Meanwhile, at Whitney’s Collision Center in Ann Arbor owner Dusty Whitney says his business is being mistakenly identified as the other. This Whitney’s has had to consider changing its name.

Meanwhile, we’ve also learned the state may now be looking into Mr. Passino’s business practices.