Bay area car dealership under investigation
POLK COUNTY, FL - A major Bay area car dealership is facing an investigation.
The Michael Holley dealerships in Lakeland are Bartow are being investigated by the Polk Count State Attorney's Office after customers complained that the dealership isn't paying off the loans on the vehicles they traded in.
Deborah Cascioli recently bought a truck from Michael Holley, and she traded in two vehicles as part of the deal. But she says the dealership never paid off the loans on the trade-ins, and now she said the finance company is coming after her.
"All of a sudden, Chrysler starts calling, saying I'm late on my car note," Cascioli said. "And I'm like, 'I don't have a car with you anymore. I traded it in with Michael Holley.' She's like 'No, it hasn't been paid off.'"
On Wednesday, the state attorney's office carried out a search warrant at the dealership. According to the warrant, investigators are looking into complaints from Cascioli and several other customers.
"When I'm getting a call from my creditor that I am still on the hook and I am late on payments on a car I've turned in, it creates legal problems," said state attorney Jerry Hill.
Even though an investigation is underway, no charges have been filed, Hill said.
"We are looking at those situations and just trying to get our hands around the real issues here," he said.
Cascioli hopes there is some kind of resolution soon. She said she is afraid the dealership will never pay off the loans on her trade-ins.
"I will have that blemish on my credit forever. I can't pay it back. I'm paying on this truck," she said.