Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board

The meetings across various committees (Dealer Practices, Dealer Licensing, Advertising, Transaction Recovery Fund, and the Full Board) centered on reviewing and taking action on several informal fact-finding conferences. Key actions included an unanimous decision by the Dealer Practices Committee to assess a $50,000 civil penalty and impose a 60-day suspension (later reduced to 30 days by the Full Board) for Auto Buying Service and Usman Nasim, and approval of a $750 civil penalty for KMJ Auto Sales & Service Park, LLC. The Advertising Committee raised a civil penalty from $250 to $1,000 for Ronald Blaydes Harris. The Transaction Recovery Fund Committee approved a payment of $6,989.02 to Melanie Phillips. The Full Board also discussed legislative updates, the consolidation of background check vendors, and conducted a closed session to discuss replacing the Board's CSS system.

The document compiles minutes from multiple committees within the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, all meeting on the same date: Dealer Practices Committee, Dealer Licensing Committee, Advertising Committee, Transaction Recovery Fund Committee, and the main Motor Vehicle Dealer Board meeting. Key discussions included the Dealer Practices Committee reviewing and acting on recommendations from several informal fact-finding conferences regarding alleged dealer violations, resulting in civil penalties, required classes, and inspections for entities like My My Motors, Prime Motors, LLC, Williamsburg Hyundai, Fawzy Auto, LLC, and 804 Motors. The Advertising Committee discussed warning letters for powersports dealers and formed a subcommittee to address advertising violations. The Transaction Recovery Fund Committee deliberated on a formal hearing appeal concerning a claim against John D. Wilson, which ultimately failed to secure approval for payment from the Fund. The main Board meeting summarized these committee actions and noted no new business, confirming the next meeting date.

The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board meeting addressed several statutory committee reports, primarily focused on dealer practices. Actions included granting a variance in business hours for Jerry's Automotive Sales and Service through September 30, 2016. Significant deliberation occurred regarding Vision Auto, LLC and Joseph H. Cousins, Jr., resulting in a $7,500 civil penalty, mandated re-inspection by October 13, 2015, and a requirement to complete the dealer-operator course by the same date. Other civil penalties were assessed against Plato One Ten ($3,000), Blue Ridge Auto Sales, Inc. ($6,000), Hutchinson Motor Car Co. ($5,675 with inspection/course mandates), Select Customs Apparatus, Inc. ($1,500 with inspection mandate), Price Point Motors, LLC ($1,000 with inspection mandate), Auto City ($3,500 with inspection mandate), Eastern Auto ($2,000), Select Autos ($2,900 with license revocation), and Beach Auto Kingz ($3,000 with license revocation following a formal hearing appeal). The Licensing Committee revoked the licenses for Jaffar R. Al Ani of Plato One Ten. The Executive Director announced his retirement effective February 1, 2016. The Transaction Recovery Fund Committee discussed the smooth transition following the 2015 General Assembly updates.

The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board meeting included reports from the Dealer Practices Committee, which addressed variance requests and levied penalties or warnings concerning violations by several dealerships, including Jerry's Auto Service and Sales, Connection Auto Sales, International Auto Sales, Harriet Salley Auto Group, DNX Motors, Auto Mart, and Robert Garten Automotives. The Dealer Practices Committee also recommended revocation of licenses for International Auto Sales, Inc. The Dealer Licensing Committee allowed three applicants—Joshua D. Flory, Jason D. Niblett, and Borys C. Palma-Lopez—to apply for salesperson licenses. The Advertising Committee and Transaction Recovery Fund Committee did not conduct business due to a lack of quorum. Old Business involved updates from the Internet Task Force regarding licensing scenarios for internet sales and third-party companies. The Executive Director's report covered approval for staff to attend the NAMVBC Annual Workshop, updates on updating the Dealer-Operator course, the decision to leave salvage dealer licensing with the DMV for now, status of staff vacancies, and an ongoing VITA Security Audit.

The Board meeting commenced with the presentation of reappointment and appointment certificates to several Board members. Committee reports detailed several actions: the Dealer Practices Committee addressed insurance requirements for dealer plates, assessed civil penalties and mandated re-inspections for Fahad Auto Sales, LLC and W & W Auto Sales, discussed the allowance of other businesses within dealerships provided 250 square feet is dedicated, and granted a variance in operating hours for Jerry's Automotive Sales and Service. The Licensing Committee assessed civil penalties against Samuel Ariondo and Joseph C. Nelson, III, and denied a dealer's license to Rodney L. Hubbard, allowing him to apply for a salesperson license. The Advertising Committee assessed a civil penalty against American Auto Fox and Shakila Sadat, issued a written warning to My Car and Tahidul Alam, and assessed a civil penalty against Mike Auto Sales and Luai Abualya for advertising violations. The Transaction Recovery Fund Committee unanimously voted to deny the claim submitted by Shepherd Tolbert due to concerns regarding proof of fraud and potential statute of limitations issues. Under New Business, the Executive Director reported on upcoming conference attendance and his commitment to a VITA project, while also informing the Board that staff was investigating potential violations committed by Tesla.