More Problems For Ford Dealership

There is more fallout from controversy surrounding a Green Country car dealer.  The News On 6 has been following allegations of wrongdoing at Nowata Ford for several days.  The dealership is accused by some customers of taking trades-ins and not paying the notes off, leaving those customers in a bind and police asking questions.  News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports Nowata Police say it's the biggest fraud case they've ever seen.  And, a former employee says it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Police are investigating fraud claims at Nowata Ford after more than a dozen recent car buyers filed complaints.  Some say the dealership didn't pay off their car notes for trade-ins.

Sherry Dickson says she can't get a tag for the 2008 Ford Focus she bought there.

"I feel like I've been violated and everything else.  I put my trust in them," said car buyer Sherry Dickson.

Once problems came to light, Ford Credit came and cleared out the lot.

The News On 6 talked with the general manager of the dealership who said his boss, the owner didn't provide money to pay off trade-ins.

"Unfortunately you're only as good as your employees," said Thomas Plummer, GM of Nowata Ford.

But, The News On 6 spoke with a former employee, who didn't want to go on camera, who says Plummer knew what was going on, and is trying to pawn off the blame on the owner, who didn't handle day to day operations of the dealership.        

The employee says Plummer is pushing off blame to everyone, but himself.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Department of Labor says seven employees of the car dealer have filed wage claims saying they are due back pay totaling $5,500.

When a claim is filed, the state labor department gives the employer 15 days to make their case in a written response.  Then a wage claim officer with the state makes a ruling. 

Another wage claim was filed back in June.  The labor department ruled the dealership owed the money.

The dealer is appealing that and the case is on the docket for an administrative law judge to decide.

Nowata Police are asking anyone who did business with the dealership since February 5th to contact investigators so they can examine the paperwork.

Meanwhile, we tried to contact the person registered with the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office as the owner of the dealership, Ed Taylor of Broken Arrow, but haven't been successful.

Related Story:

08/13/2008  GM Of Nowata Ford Speaks Out