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Toronto, August 21,
2007 - In January 2007,
the Ontario Motor Vehicle
Industry Council (OMVIC)
commenced an investigation into
the importation of salvage cars
into Ontario from the United
States by a registered car
dealer known as Alumi-Bunk
Corporation, operating from
Dixie Road, in Mississauga,
Ontario. The cars were branded
insurance write-offs as the
result of flood damage sustained
in the state of Louisiana. They
had been purchased from an
auction located in the U.S.,
imported into Canada by the
dealer and sold to either
consumers or other dealers. The
cars were subsequently
registered in Ontario using
altered importation and title
documents to conceal their
brands. Approximately 30
flood-damaged vehicles were
subsequently sold retail to
unsuspecting consumers in the
Greater Toronto Area between
March and December 2006. Two
unregistered salespeople working
on behalf of the dealer were
involved in the registration and
sale of these cars and have been
charged by OMVIC. The issues
concerning the altered
documentation were referred by
OMVIC to the Ontario Provincial
Police who, as result of their
investigation, laid criminal
charges. The Ministry of
Transportation has now informed
the buyers of the flood-damaged
vehicles that the vehicles are
unsafe and must be removed from
the road.
Charged are:
Salvatore Casano, 36 years, of
Bolton, Ontario.
10 counts unregistered
salesperson, Motor Vehicle
Dealers Act
Kelly Casano, 29 years, of
Mississauga, Ontario.
4 counts unregistered
salesperson, Motor Vehicle
Dealers Act
Court Date: October 2nd, 2007
9:00 a.m., 101 Court, Brampton
About OMVIC
OMVIC administers the Motor
Vehicle Dealers Act – a public
protection statute – on behalf
of the Minister of Government
Services. OMVIC’s mandate is to
maintain a safe and informed
marketplace by ensuring
registration of dealers and
salespeople, regularly
inspecting all of Ontario’s
8,600 dealerships, maintaining a
complaint line for consumers and
conducting investigations.
OMVIC’s Board of Directors
includes nine elected dealers
and three consumer
representatives appointed by
government. OMVIC is also
responsible for administering
the Motor Vehicle Dealers
Compensation Fund on behalf of a
Board of Trustees.
For more information, please
contact:
Carey Smith
Chief Investigator
Tel: (416) 573-6863
Email:
Web:
www.omvic.on.ca
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