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Popular Polk County Car Dealerships Under Investigation

Posted Oct 28, 2008 by Jennifer Leigh

Updated Oct 28, 2008 at 01:59 PM

Michael Holley Chevrolet in Lakeland and Michael Holley Pontiac Buick GMC in Bartow are under investigation by the state attorney’s office over claims the dealerships accepted trade-ins and didn’t pay off the loans.

According to a search warrant application filed by the state attorney’s office, three customers complained to authorities that vehicles they traded in had not yet been paid off by Michael Holley.  Deborah Cascioli is among those still waiting for a loan payment.

Cascioli says she traded in a 2007 Chrysler 300 and a 2004 Silverado truck on Sept. 6.  By the end of the month she learned neither loan had been satisfied. “Well, my credit report shows I have three vehicles, and I have a credit report showing I’m late on two vehicles and actually I got a repossess letter on the Chrysler car, and I told Chrysler I don’t have the car. There’s no way to repossess it,” Cascioli said.

Investigator David Lyon says since he launched his inquiry he has received about 30 additional complaint calls from Michael Holley customers.  Lyon says the bulk of the problems seem to involve trade-ins that happened since Sept. 1.

An attorney for Michael Holley contacted News Channel 8 to say the longtime car dealer would not be commenting for this story, but would likely issue a statement of some kind before the end of the week.  In the meantime, Deborah Cascioli is waiting for more than just an explanation.  “I just want our loans paid off and our credit to not be hurt,” Cascioli said.

The state attorney’s office says it may be several days before the investigation is complete.  So far no charges have been filed.