Attorney General's News Release

July 2, 2003

Judge grants Nixon's request for temporary restraining order against St. Peters auto transport service

Jefferson City, Mo. — A St. Charles County Circuit Court judge today issued a temporary restraining order at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon against a St. Peters automobile transport service and its owner. The order prohibits Caran R. Vinson and two businesses she owns, Chipmunk Transportation Inc. and Chipmunk Auto Logistics Inc., from advertising and engaging in the businesses of providing automobile transportation and transportation brokerage services and from accepting money from consumers for transport services.

Nixon sued Vinson in May 2002 for defrauding consumers of money paid for auto transport services that were never provided. The lawsuit alleged that at least 22 consumers from around the country paid more than $5,400 total to Chipmunk Transportation to have their vehicles picked up and delivered to another location. Nixon said that the company did not inform consumers that their payments or down payments were nonrefundable or misled them into believing that refunds would be forthcoming.

Nixon said that since the time the lawsuit was filed, his office has received at least 21 additional complaints from consumers, including reports that Vinson has operated under other business names, including AAA Ark Auto Transportation.

Judge Lucy D. Rauch set a July 17 date on Nixon's request for a preliminary injunction against the defendants.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818