FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
March 12, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG OBTAINS PERMANENT INJUNCTION AGAINST ELMORE COUNTY
USED CAR DEALER ACCUSED OF DEFRAUDING CUSTOMERS
(MONTGOMERY) — Attorney General Luther Strange has obtained a permanent injunction
against an Elmore County used car dealer for defrauding Alabama consumers and businesses.
Elmore County Circuit Judge Sibley G. Reynolds granted the Attorney General’s request for a
permanent injunction against Quality Used Cars, also doing business as Preowned Automotive, as
well as its owners and operators, Claton (or Clayton) and Connie Reeves. The dealership was located
at 6153 and 6155 Elmore Road in Elmore, Alabama.
“We presented evidence of egregious violations and I am pleased that the Court has granted our
request to protect consumers and businesses from further harm by this company and its operators,”
said Attorney General Strange. The allegations included numerous instances of the company and its
operators actively defrauding consumers, banks, credit unions and other car dealerships.
The Judge found that Quality Used Cars and the Reeves had “committed continuous and willful
violations” of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Furthermore, Connie Reeves was found to
have violated Alabama sales tax laws because she collected but did not pay sales tax totaling $53,072,
plus additional interest of $4,315 and penalties of $26,608. She also was found to have violated
Alabama’s motor vehicle licensing laws and the Uniform Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act by
continuing to operate as a motor vehicle dealer after her dealer license and Designated Agent status
was suspended or revoked.
The Court’s order forbids Connie and Claton Reeves and any agents of the Reeves from acting in
the automotive dealer or financing business. In addition, the Court imposed individual penalties of
$18,000 against each of the Reeves, as well as investigative costs and attorneys’ fees in the amount of
$4,500.
Consumers who have car title issues due to transactions with Quality Used Cars and the Reeves
may contact the dealer license office in the Motor Vehicle Division of the Alabama Department of
Revenue. The title customer service line is 334-242-9007 and the email address is
dealerlicense@revenue.alabama.gov.
“I am proud of the outstanding work in this case by my Consumer Litigation Section,” said
Attorney General Strange, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Kyle Beckman and Noel
Barnes, as well as Special Agents of his Investigations Division and Assistant Attorney General Glen
Powers of the Revenue Department. He also thanked the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
