AG files lawsuit against local dealership

LEXINGTON, KY. (WTVQ) – Attorney General Andy Beshear filed a lawsuit against The United Group Inc., which also goes by Auto Plaza USA.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Fayette Circuit Court against the Nicholasville business for deceptive business practices.

Auto Plaza USA, located at 2000 Vince Rd. in Nicholasville, is accused of violating Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act and AG is taking legal action in an effort to seek restitution for customers.

According to the lawsuit, the defendant, who is associated with the dealership, violated Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act by defrauding more than 1,400 customers.

The lawsuit states that between 2012 and 2016, the defendant collected vehicle usage taxes from customers, then falsified the documents in order to avoid making the necessary payment to the Kentucky Department of Revenue.

Because of this, customers of the dealership received delinquent tax notices and were left owing a tax bill that many of them had already paid to the defendant.

According to the lawsuit, the defendant charged each customer almost $500 in document preparation fees for services not properly performed.

Attorney General Beshear’s Office is seeking damages from the defendant for customers affected.

He is seeking roughly $465,000 in restitution for the customers who incurred additional unpaid usage tax liabilities, and $685,000 for customers affected by the bogus customer fee.

An investigation began after the Officer of the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received more than 100 consumer complaints.

Consumers who have experienced issues with Auto Plaza USA or any other Kentucky business may file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection at ag.ky.gov.