Story Created:
Aug 10, 2009 at 5:07 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 10, 2009 at 10:05 PM EST
YORKVILLE, N.Y. (WKTV) - 40 auto dealers statewide have been notified by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that some of their advertisements involving "Cash for Clunkers," are misleading and deceptive.
In a news release, Cuomo said "this program could be a boon for both our economy and our environment, as well as provide much-needed financial assistance to consumers. Businesses that fail to advertise honestly and try to take advantage of this federal program will face legal action by my office."
Cease-and-desist letters were sent to seven Utica area dealerships, the most sent to any area in New York State.
Victory Chrysler Dodge Jeep; Cooper Kia, Steet Ponte Chevrolet; Don's Superstore; Davidson Chevrolet Cadillac Buick Pontiac GMC of Rome; Carbone Nissan and Carbone Dodge Chrysler Jeep are the dealers that Cuomo's office said received the letters.
Some ads showed vehicles and combined discounts, but do not specify that $4,500 is the maximum an individual can receive for a clunker, not a guaranteed amount.
NEWSChannel 2 requested on-camera interviews with the Carbone Auto Group and Steet Ponte Chevrolet. However, both declined on-camera interviews.
"We've not been charged with doing anything wrong, they asked us to cease and desist from using a couple of words and we did," Al Carbone of the Carbone Auto Group said via telephone.
Carbone said he did not wish to comment any further on the issue.
Steve Ponte of Steet-Ponte Chevrolet said his company did nothing wrong. He went on to say he believed a disclaimer was left out either by Ponte or the Observer Dispatch newspaper that ran the advertisements.
Ponte didn't place blame on either organization and said he "Understands what the attorney general is doing."
When asked if Ponte would pull ads, he said "no."
It is unclear if the ads were scheduled to stop running or not, but if dealerships don't comply with the letters, they can face fines or possible lawsuits.
If anyone notices one of these advertisements, or feels they have been misled, they are asked to contact the Attorney General's Office in Utica at 315-793-2225
To look at the advertisements, as well as the letter sent out by the Attorney General's Office, you can find them in the "Related Content" section of this story.
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