By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC – Southwest Michigan prosecutors Victor Fitz of Cass County, Art Cotter of Berrien County and Jeff Fink of Kalamazoo County announced Wednesday that Greg Ferrier pleaded guilty as charged to two five-year felonies.
The prosecutors said Ferrier, 44, of 56621 Lyle Drive, the former co-owner of Dowagiac Auto Sales on M-51 South, pleaded guilty to two counts of false pretenses over $1,000 pending in Cass County.
Sentencing is scheduled before Cass County Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge May 4 at 8:30 a.m.
Investigation by the Cass County Sheriff's Office, Dowagiac Police Department, Michigan Department of State Investigations Division, Michigan State Police Niles post, Schoolcraft Police Department and Three Oaks Police Department "revealed financial indiscretions by Ferrier in Berrien, Cass and Kalamazoo counties," the prosecutors' statement said.
As part of a plea agreement, Ferrier must make restitution to all victims of his fraudulent financial transactions.
A further condition of the plea is that Ferrier will not be allowed to operate a car dealership for the next five years.
A two-year non-sufficient check charge in Berrien County and a misdemeanor trespassing charge in Cass County were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
The investigation stemmed from numerous citizen complaints to law enforcement agencies.
Allegations of fraud, forgery and other criminal improprieties were investigated by state, county and local agencies.
For restitution purposes, the Michigan Department of State asks that any other consumers who suffered criminal financial loss related to Dowagiac Auto Sales, or who failed to receive proper documents (title, registration, warranty, lien) at the time they sold or purchased a vehicle at the Dowagiac Auto Sales dealership after July 2006 call the Bureau of Regulatory Services at (517) 335-2814 within 20 days.