The American Repossessor

CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has filed a lawsuit against Jack and Kathy Bishop, owner’s of Jack Bishop’s Pre-Owned Auto Sales in Beckley, to enforce the terms of a settlement agreement.

McGraw said the couple has failed to comply with two agreements to make restitution to West Virginia consumers hurt by their car dealership’s practices which McGraw calls unfair and deceptive.

McGraw said his office had allowed the Bishops an opportunity to voluntarily comply with the terms of a second settlement before filing suit against them on Wednesday.

The Attorney General’s office first investigated the dealership in August 2006, after receiving complaints alleging the unlawful sale of vehicles “as is” and illegal repossessions. On Feb. 8, 2008 the AG’s office said the Bishops signed a settlement agreement with the state promising to cease these practices and comply with the law.

After the agreement was executed, McGraw said his office received additional complaints alleging that the Bishops continued to sell defective vehicles and failed to repair them in violation of the implied warranty. When customers stopped making payments on the defective vehicles, McGraw said the Bishops hired an armed repossession agent to seize the vehicles.

On Dec. 1, 2009, the Bishops entered into a second agreement in which they promised to pay $8,750 in restitution. McGraw said the lawsuit was prompted by the Bishops failure to comply with the second agreement.