Wisconsin to Accelerate Dealer Fraud Investigations
The Wisconsin legislature has passed a bill that would authorize the fast-tracking of auto retail fraud complaints and allow investigators to shutter dealerships earlier in the process.

State Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) said delays suffered by complainants regarding Standard Pre-Owned consignment stores in two Wisconsin towns helped inspire a new bill designed to fast-track dealer fraud investigations.
Photo courtesy Wisconsin State Legislature
MADISON, Wis. — A bill that would fast-track investigations into complaints of auto retail fraud heads to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ desk this week after winning approval in both houses of the state legislature, WBAY reports. The bill was co-sponsored by State Sen. Robert Cowles and State Rep. David Steffen, both Republicans from Green Bay.
Cowles told WBAY the bill would ensure future investigations can conclude in “a few weeks to a month” and authorize consumer protection agencies to “force this person to close their doors” earlier in the process. The lawmaker made reference to an ongoing probe into Standard Pre-Owned, an auto consignment provider with locations in Kaukauna and Suamico. Local authorities turned the case over to the FBI shortly after serving a search warrant at the Suamico store.
“From 2014 to 2016, dozens of vehicles on consignment at the car dealership Standard Pre-Owned were sold despite the original vehicle owner not being notified or receiving compensation,” Cowles said. “While complaints flooded into DOT, more Northeast Wisconsin residents found themselves defrauded by Standard Pre-Owned as the lengthy and tedious process of license revocation failed to protect Wisconsinites in these consignment sales.”
Click here to read the WBAY report.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record
The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.
Read More →
War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices
Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.
Read More →
Bridge the Maintenance Gap
With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.
Read More →
California Store Has New Owner
The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.
Read More →
BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.
Read More →
Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →