Secretary of State, State Police investigators nab auto dealer for title fraud

Michigan Secretary of State sent this bulletin at 09/08/2016 04:07 PM EDT

Media Release from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

-- For immediate release --

SOS, State Police investigators nab auto dealer for title fraud

Sylvan Lake man arraigned on 7 felony charges

 

anti fraud

LANSING, Mich. – A southeast Michigan auto dealer now faces seven felony charges for allegedly forging federal import documents after Secretary of State staff became suspicious of the documents he presented, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue announced today

Auto dealer David S. Cheslin of Sylvan Lake has been arraigned in Eaton County District Court on two counts of uttering and publishing and five counts of intent to pass false title.

Cheslin, the owner of Cheslin, Inc., 3080 Orchard Lake Road in Keego Harbor, is accused of forging more than 300 U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents and a sheriff deputy’s signature to bypass the required Customs process for importing vehicles.

Secretary of State and State Police investigators uncovered the Oakland County auto dealer’s scheme beginning in February when suspected fraudulent title applications were submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. The documents were later confirmed to be fraudulent by Customs import specialists. State Police investigators subsequently executed search warrants in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May. Shortly thereafter, Cheslin’s dealership license was summarily suspended by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Each of the two uttering and publishing charges Cheslin faces is punishable by up to 14 years in prison and each of the five intent to pass false title charges is punishable by up to 10 years.

“My office is committed to cracking down on fraudulent activity and holding dealers accountable for their illegal actions,” Johnson said. “When unscrupulous auto dealers are put out of business, consumers win. I appreciate the efforts of the State Police, federal law enforcement agencies and my office’s dedicated staff on this case.”

As part of her focus on strengthening her office’s consumer protection efforts, Johnson created the Office of Investigative Services, which investigates and inspects automotive-related businesses.

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