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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION and the STATE OF WISCONSIN, Plaintiffs, vs. RHINELANDER AUTO CENTER, INC., a Wisconsin corporation, also d/b/a Rhinelander GM Auto Center, Rhinelander Cadillac, and OK Used Cars of Rhinelander; RHINELANDER MOTOR COMPANY, a Wisconsin corporation, also d/b/a Rhinelander Toyota;
RHINELANDER AUTO GROUP LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, also d/b/a Rhinelander GM Auto Center, Rhinelander Cadillac, and OK Used Cars of Rhinelander; RHINELANDER IMPORT GROUP LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, also d/b/a Rhinelander Toyota; and DANIEL TOWNE, individually and as an officer, member, or manager of RHINELANDER AUTO CENTER, INC., RHINELANDER MOTOR COMPANY, RHINELANDER AUTO GROUP LLC and RHINELANDER IMPORT GROUP LLC, Defendants.
RHINELANDER AUTO GROUP LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, also d/b/a Rhinelander GM Auto Center, Rhinelander Cadillac, and OK Used Cars of Rhinelander; RHINELANDER IMPORT GROUP LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, also d/b/a Rhinelander Toyota; and DANIEL TOWNE, individually and as an officer, member, or manager of RHINELANDER AUTO CENTER, INC., RHINELANDER MOTOR COMPANY, RHINELANDER AUTO GROUP LLC and RHINELANDER IMPORT GROUP LLC, Defendants.
Case Summary
The Federal Trade Commission and State of Wisconsin are taking action against Wisconsin auto dealer group Rhinelander Auto Center, its current and former owners, and general manager Daniel Towne for deceiving consumers by tacking hundreds or even thousands of dollars in illegal junk fees onto car prices and for discriminating against American Indian customers by charging them higher financing costs and fees.
The defendants have agreed to proposed court orders that will require Rhinelander’s current owners and Towne to stop their unlawful practices and provide $1.1 million to be used for refunds to consumers.