Minot auto dealer charged for failing to provide titles - Minot Daily News

[CarDealerCheck]

A Minot auto dealer has been accused of multiple felonies for allegedly selling vehicles to customers and failing to provide titles.


According to court records, Stephen J. Edwards, owner of Auto Finance Express, has been charged with 17 felonies and 17 misdemeanors for charging customers for state taxes and license fees as part of the vehicles’ purchase price, then not handing over registration, and not sending the taxes and license fees to the state.


A sworn affidavit by Det. Robert Barnard of the Minot Police Department also alleges that Edwards agreed to sell a vehicle for a customer, then sold it and did not repay the owner. In some cases, customers who purchased vehicles from Auto Finance Express had to track down the titles to the vehicles themselves, but were then required to pay taxes and title fees again.


Barnard’s affidavit also states that the manager of the business was aware that people were coming in to the business toward the end of 2007 complaining that they had not received their registration. In some instances, the manager said he went to Edwards and was given cash to obtain the titles for the customers. The manager told Barnard that he believed the situation was attributable at least in part to cash flow problems with the business, but knew there were more customers out there having problems getting titles.


Barnard was also told by the manager that he knew some customers had purchased extended warranties, but the money and paperwork had never been sent to the warrantee company.


According to Barnard’s statement, Barnard spoke to Edwards by telephone, at which time Edwards told him “it was all part of the business, that car dealerships close all the time and it was a civil matter.” Edwards is also part-owner of Envy Gentlemen’s Club in downtown Minot.


Edwards is charged with 18 counts of theft of property, including six Class B felonies and 11 Class C felonies, and 16 counts of failing to produce title, each a Class B misdemeanor. The total amount of the property listed in the affidavit is in excess of $125,000. A warrant for his arrest was issued on March 31.

Source: http://www.minotdailynews.com