LANCASTER, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is cracking down on two used-car dealerships in Fairfield and Fayette counties accused of leaving dozens of consumers without vehicle titles.
Yost announced lawsuits against Highway 22 Auto Sales in Lancaster and Robinson Auto in Jeffersonville as part of a broader statewide enforcement action against defunct dealerships violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicles Act.
“Buying a used car without knowing the dealer’s reputation is a roll of the fuzzy dice,” Yost said. “Doing your homework before handing over your money can save you from major headaches.”
The lawsuits allege that both dealerships and their owners — Debra Jeffers of Highway 22 Auto Sales and Shawn Robinson of Robinson Auto — failed to deliver titles to buyers within the 40-day period required by Ohio law.
To help affected consumers, Yost’s Consumer Protection Section tapped into the Title Defect Recision (TDR) Fund, issuing payments to cover missing titles. In Fairfield County, the Attorney General’s office resolved 10 title-related complaints involving Highway 22 Auto Sales with $39,121 from the TDR fund. In Fayette County, 10 similar complaints tied to Robinson Auto were resolved using $62,454 from the fund.
The lawsuits seek reimbursement to the TDR Fund, civil penalties, and orders banning the defendants from future consumer transactions.
Consumers who encounter title problems with used-car purchases are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for assistance.
