COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Collision Repair Registration, in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, carried out a court order on April 27 to lock down three illegal collision repair facilities.
Injunctions were granted against Mike Weigel, owner of Mike’s Auto Body & Repair; Jesse Paige, owner of Jesse’s Auto Body; and Will Scruggs, owner of Will’s Auto Repair & Body Shop. All these shops are in Cincinnati and received injunctions for failing to register with the board. When the owners failed to meet the registration requirements after the injunction, the board filed a contempt of court complaint. The court issued a deadline for the owners to become compliant with the board and pay back fees. When the deadline passed without compliance, the board was granted a lock-down order. The businesses will remain locked down until they are registered.
Michael Greene, executive director of the agency, noted, “Enforcement efforts against illegal repair facilities increased in 2007 and 2008, and the trend will continue. It is not the board’s intention to close down repair shops, but rather bring them into compliance with state and federal regulations.”
He added, “It’s a consumer issue, and I would suggest everyone visit our Web site at www.collisionboard.ohio.gov prior to selecting a repair facility. Consumers can check for registered shops at our e-licensing verification link, and learn the rights of a motorist when seeking auto repairs.”
