Jan. 28, 2019 By Christian Murray
A Long Island City-based auto dealership has been fined more than $3 million for deceiving many of its customers, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Major World, based at 43-40 Northern Blvd., was fined for using illegal practices to profit from low-income and immigrant consumers, the city agency said.
The company also reached a separate settlement with some of its past customers.
The decision, issued by the City’s Office of Administration Trials and Hearings, found Major World guilty of unlawful activity, including falsifying customers’ income and monthly rent obligations on credit applications.
Major World also reached a settlement with 40 consumers. It agreed to pay nearly $142,000 in restitution and $68,000 to cover outstanding loans incurred as a result of the dealership’s actions.
“We are pleased that the judge recognized Major World’s egregious conduct and ordered that they pay a multi-million dollar fine,” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas.
Major World refutes the City’s findings.
“The findings that constitute the vast majority of the fines are based on an incorrect interpretation of the law,” said Eric Keltz, an attorney for the dealership. Furthermore, “the consumer related charges were based upon less than one-tenth of one percent of the customers served by Major World during the relevant period.”
