TORONTO –

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council has levied a charge against an Amhertsburg dealership and two members of its senior management for “engaging in an unfair business practice” that violated the Consumer Protection Act, 2002.

Specifically, Clarke Chevrolet Buick GMC Limited, James A. Clarke and Jesse Ryan Howell are being charged with “engaging in an unfair business practice by making an unconscionable representation in contravention of Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 (CPA).”

OMVIC has also charged the dealership with employing an unregistered salesperson, which is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

All parties have a June 18 court date at Windsor Provincial Offenses Court.

“OMVIC’s investigation revealed the dealership entered into a complicated vehicle purchase finance contract for over $80,000 with a vulnerable consumer who was unable to protect his own interests due to an inability to understand the language of the agreement; that the transaction was excessively one-sided in favor of the dealer; and that the consumer was subjected to undue pressure to enter into the transaction, in breach of the CPA,” officials explained.