SANTA ROSA –  On November 20, 2018, Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch announced that her office, in conjunction with the Napa and Solano County District Attorneys’ offices, filed a complaint against CRC Luxury Motors, LLC, which owns Midas franchise stores located in Petaluma, Napa and Vacaville, and Curtis Correll who controls the day-to-day operation of the Midas stores.

The complaint alleges that CRC and Correll engaged in numerous violations of the Automotive Repair Act, the Hazardous Waste Control Act, and the False Advertising and Unfair Competition laws, including that the defendants performed unnecessary, unwarranted, or unapproved repairs, and negligently performed certain repairs. The allegations are based on investigations by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), as well as the respective District Attorney’s offices, into consumer complaints against the Midas stores.

“BAR representatives conduct major consumer safety and protection work that often goes unnoticed by the public,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “They have the automotive repair knowledge and expertise, that many of us as consumers lack, and work undercover to determine if consumers are getting what they were promised and what they paid for.”

“My office is committed to protecting Sonoma County consumers from businesses engaged in unfair, unlawful and unscrupulous business practices,” said District Attorney Jill Ravitch.

District Attorney Ravitch also announced a settlement with Midas International Corporation, the franchisor of Midas stores. The complaint alleged that Midas International was aware of, facilitated, and benefitted from CRC and Correll’s violations of law. Under the terms of the settlement, Midas International will provide $150,000 for customer restitution and pay $50,000 in civil penalties. Midas International worked cooperatively with the District Attorney’s offices throughout the settlement process.

Customers of the Petaluma, Napa, or Vacaville Midas stores who believe they are victims of unlawful practices may be eligible for restitution. Customers may be eligible if they file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair and/or the Sonoma, Napa, or Solano District Attorney’s offices regarding Defendants’ unnecessary, unwarranted, unapproved, or negligently performed services along with adequate documentation to support their complaint.

 

For more information please see the Sonoma County District Attorney’s press release.