Trio Charged in Used-Car Auction Scheme
Couple, associate indicted on charges they faked auto sales for millions.

If convicted on the charges, each defendant faces up to 30 years in prison.
IMAGE: Pexels/Shane West
Three people were indicted on charges they conducted a fraud scheme against a Tennessee used-auto auction company.
A federal grand jury returned indictments on charges Jerry W. Hutchins and married couple Brian and Stephanie Louise Baker engaged in wire fraud and money laundering to defraud Dealers Auto Auction Group.
From February 2017 to November 2018, Stephanie Baker managed the group’s Murfreesboro location, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. At the time, Hutchins and Brian Baker each owned a used-car dealership that did business with the group, and the three created transaction records of fake vehicle sales at the group’s auctions, getting paid for sales that never happened and pocketing the money for personal expenses, the attorney’s office said. Each month, the defendants generated more fake transactions of the same vehicles to cover their earlier fraud “and avoid detection,” it said, amassing more than $2 million in payments.
The defendants were taken into federal custody and made an initial appearance before a magistrate. If convicted on the charges, each faces up to 30 years in prison.
The grand jury included in its indictment an allegation seeking to forfeit property acquired from the alleged auction transactions, money judgements of more than $2 million from Stephanie Baker, more than $1 million from Brian Baker and nearly $685,000 from Hutchins.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →