Civil suit filed against Big Daddy Auto Sales
The state attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit against a Uniontown auto dealer alleging the business is operating using unfair trade practices.
According to the suit, Big Daddy Auto Sales is operating without licenses and misrepresented sales. The suit was filed by First Deputy Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer against the company, owner Dennine Soliday, her husband, Terry VanDyke, and employee Wallace D. Murphy.
They are being sued for $1,000 per Consumer Protection Law violation, $3,000 for each violation involving a victim age 60 and over.
The suit also asks full restitution be paid to each victim and all profits forfeited.
In December 2013, Big Daddy entered a settlement with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities for allegedly making 60 sales without a license. The company was required to pay $6,000 and stop sales and advertisements unless it obtained a license, according to the suit.
According to the suit, the company continued to make sales. Since Dec. 3, 2013, Big Daddy allegedly entered at least 77 sales, Murphy entered at least nine sales, and VanDyke entered into at least 94 sales, each without a license, according to the suit. A Facebook page named “Big Daddy Auto Sales” with a Smock address advertises cars for sale multiple times each week.
The company was fined an additional $17,000 for violating the cease and desist order, which they did not pay, according to the suit.
The suit also states that Big Daddy repossessed at least seven vehicles that were sold without a license and charged consumers fees.
In at least three of the sales, the condition of vehicles was misrepresented, saying the vehicles were in excellent condition, inspected and “ran well,” according to the suit. The suit argues these vehicles had frame rust, faulty transmission and other conditions that would have failed inspection.
Big Daddy also sold vehicles “as is,” but did not include a description of the vehicle as “used,” list prior usage, or include a statement that vehicles were sold without a warranty.
The defendants declined comment, saying they must first speak to their attorney.