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October 6, 2008

New Integrity Motors problems surface

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — It’s been nearly three weeks since news broke about a local woman’s problems with a used car lot that’s no longer in business.

Friday, Police Chief Steve Farmer said he intends to forward at least seven reports to the TPD investigative division. When that probe is complete, a report will be prepared and sent to District Attorney Jerry Moore’s office.

Martha Freeman’s report states she purchased a car from Integrity Motors in February, and bought gap and extended warranty insurance for $3,200. Integrity never paid for the insurance.

Farmer has also seen reports like the one filed in May by Jacob Hammons, who traded his vehicle with Integrity Motors. He later learned his original vehicle was never paid off by the dealership, and found his old vehicle on a car lot in Muskogee, Farmer said.

The major complaints involve customers who believe they purchased gap insurance and/or an extended warranty and were trading vehicles at Integrity, but later found out their original vehicles weren’t paid off.

Letha Stovall alleged the dealership promised to fix problems with the vehicle she bought, and they failed to do that. She also told officers the dealer indicated he had a friend at Wells Fargo and could finance the vehicle. Stovall said they took her to Tulsa and charged her several thousand dollars more than the van was worth, at an extremely high interest rate. Wells Fargo allegedly refused to refinance the van when Stovall requested it so she could pay for repairs to the van.

Farmer said several people filing reports came forward after the Daily Press reported the problem last month. Others have learned of the auto dealer’s problems by word of mouth. But the chief still believes there are more victims.

“If someone sees this and they had a similar experience with Integrity Motors, they need to call us or come in and file a report,” Farmer said.

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The use of cell phones while driving is increasingly becoming an issue. What do you think about cell phone use by emergency personnel, like law enforcement officers, EMTs, firemen, etc.?

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