Attorney General's News Release

January 19, 2006

Nixon shuts down Morgan County auto repair shop whose owner defrauded, allegedly assaulted customers

Versailles, Mo. — A Morgan County man who damaged, tampered with and improperly used motor vehicles at his auto repair shop, and then allegedly threatened and physically assaulted customers who expressed dissatisfaction with his work is no longer in business under a temporary restraining order obtained by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The court order, issued today by Judge Kevin Schehr in Morgan County Circuit Court, cites Timothy Anzalone and Helen Anzalone, owners of Tim’s Auto Repair in Rocky Mount, for repeated violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act dating back to May 2004. The defendants are accused of damaging the vehicles they had agreed to repair, as well as tampering with, stealing from, and improperly using the vehicles, defrauding customers out of thousands of dollars.

The lawsuit also claims that Tim Anzalone allegedly threatened and or physically harmed customers who expressed dissatisfaction with his inferior work.

Nixon said a common tactic of defendant Tim Anzalone was to make repairs for a specified mechanical problem in a consumer’s vehicle at an agreed-to price. Anzalone then would contact the consumer and say that he had discovered other needed repairs, fixed them without the consent of the vehicle’s owner, and that the bill was considerably higher — sometimes by thousands of dollars.

"The actions of the owners of Tim’s Auto, from defrauding customers in a variety of ways and then physically threatening or assaulting those who called them on their shoddy work, have been reprehensible," said Nixon. "In one case, for example, Mr. Anzalone offered to reduce the bill of one customer in exchange for methamphetamine. If ever there was a crooked business that needed to be shut down, this outfit is it."

Nixon is asking for an injunction to prohibit the defendants from operating an automotive repair or service business, regardless of name or location, in Missouri. The lawsuit also asks the court to prohibit the defendants from violating state laws in connection with any sale or advertisement of any merchandise, and requires them to pay all court, investigative and prosecution costs in the case.

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 the Press Secretary.

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