Other LanguagesOLYMPIA—The Walla Walla County Superior Court Friday entered a preliminary injunction, ordering several Northwest auto dealerships owned by Mark Gilbert to comply with Washington dealer and consumer protection laws, requiring prompt payoff of customers’ trade-in vehicles.
According to the Attorney General’s Office complaint, Gilbert Auto Honda and several other Gilbert dealerships have failed to pay off buyers’ trade-in vehicles as required under both Washington and Idaho law, resulting in some buyers being forced to make payments on both the new vehicle and their trade-in to avoid collections agencies and repossession.
The complaint alleges the Gilbert dealerships have amassed significant liabilities to consumers and lenders related to unpaid off trade-in liens. The Attorney General's Office also named the bonding company, Sentry Select Insurance Company, as a defendant in the lawsuit. Each dealership carries a bond of $30,000 to protect consumers.
The AGO also alleges Gilbert has failed to transfer titles as required by law.
Washington consumers who faced similar experiences during transactions with the following auto dealerships are encouraged to file a complaint with the Washington Attorney General’s Office to assist it with its investigation:
- Gilbert Auto Honda of College Place;
- Gilbert Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Walla Walla;
- Gilbert Auto Nissan of Moses Lake; and
- Gilbert Auto Ford of Moscow, Idaho.
Consumers may file their complaints at https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx.
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Contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, Communications Director, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, 360-586-0725