Dowagiac Used Car Salesman Ordered to Repay Customers

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Dowagiac Used Car Salesman Ordered to Repay Customers

By Beth Boehne

(SBT24/7News) A used car salesman who defrauded customers was ordered to pay $181,051 in restitution, a judge ordered Wednesday.

Greg Ferrier, co-owner of Dowagiac Auto Sales, pleaded guilty in March to two felony charges of false pretenses over $1,000 related to bilking customers at his used car dealership.

Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge sentenced Ferrier, 44, to 210 days in jail last May.

As part of his sentence, Ferrier was required to make restitution to victims he defrauded in Cass, Berrien and Kalamazoo counties, according to Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

At the sentencing, Fitz asked Dodge to request that Ferrier repay 59 victims about $180,000.

Ferrier contested the amount and requested a hearing.

At the hearing Wednesday, Fitz presented testimony from Secretary of State employee Jerry Kunzelman, Prosecutor’s Victims Rights coordinator Amanda Smego and one of Ferrier’s customers, Amanda Manning.

Their testimony, along with an array of financial statements and licensing documents, revealed that 60 victims lost $181,051 due to Ferrier’s actions, Fitz said.

Ferrier reportedly took money from numerous car buyers to cover other car purchases, title, insurance and warranty fees.

"As a result, customers were beset by setbacks including vehicle repossession, inability to title purchased autos, lack of insurance, no warranty coverage and legal fees," said Fitz.

Other car dealers and banks also were scammed because many of the checks Ferrier wrote on behalf of Dowagiac Auto Sales bounced, Fitz said.

Wednesday, Dec 5 at 7:57 AM Cassopolis wrote ...

All rental properties should be Inspected and all of these we buy homes con artest that cheat people out of there homes and get away with it all do to the fact that most people can't afford to hire an attorney.

Tuesday, Dec 4 at 12:22 PM Dowagiac resident wrote ...

The township needs to investigata his rental houses. He remolded the basement on Lyle St completely and did not get permits. Doubled the living space and paying no more taxes. I am sure he did other houses the same way without permits.

Saturday, Dec 1 at 1:53 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe Todd should get a JOB!

Saturday, Dec 1 at 1:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Though Greg has made several errors of judgement, he has helped me and my family out tremendously in the past. WE also purchased a car from Greg and were scammed, but had he not sold the car to me, I would not have been able to get to work.

Saturday, Dec 1 at 9:01 AM Anonymous wrote ...

hi, my name is todd from niles. all i do all day long is sit behind my computer and blog. nobody likes me, so i depend on my computer to make me something iam not. a real man.

Friday, Nov 30 at 5:32 PM twins lakes wrote ...

I grew up with Greg iam not surprised he turned out this way .Its too bad he didnt get caught sooner before it turned out like this .He gets what he deserves.

Friday, Nov 30 at 5:19 PM Todd from Niles wrote ...

Is he related to the owner of Samsons car lot.LOL!!

Friday, Nov 30 at 4:57 PM A Dowagiac person wrote ...

I tried to buy a car once from Greg, and I am so glad that it didn't work out. I could have turned into one of his victims. This is a disgrace, and it gives auto salesman a bad name. I hope that everyone who were scammed receives compensation.

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