Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Respondent: MJG CORPORATION OF PINELLAS, D/B/A BELLEAIR EXPRESS LUBE & AUTO
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Locations: Clearwater, Florida
Filed: Jul. 02, 2010
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, November 8, 2010.
Latest Update: Dec. 22, 2024
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Servicgs 7
CHARLES H. BRONSON, Commissioner GY ks
The Capitol ¢ Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 one °, “ e
February 4, 2010
DELIVERED: 1Z 4AW 867 42 6504 5238
MJG Corporation of Pinellas Case No: 0912-48058
d/b/a Belleair Express Lube & Auto :
Mr. Michael Gentile, President Agency Clerk Ref: A65778
1721 Clearwater Largo Rd.
Clearwater, FL. 33756
SUBJECT: Administrative Complaint
Dear Mr. Gentile:
INVESTIGATIVE RESULTS
An investigation was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (“Department”). As a result of the investigation, the Department found the following
violation:
§ 559.905 (1) Florida Statute, When any customer requests a motor vehicle repair shop to
perform repair work on a motor vehicle, the cost of which repair work will exceed $100 to
the customer, the shop shall prepare a written repair estimate, which is a form setting forth
the estimated cost of repair work, including diagnostic work, before effecting any
diagnostic work or repair. The facts that support this allegation are as follows: A review of
the estimate/invoice forms provided by MJG Corporation of Pinellas found that the forms
were not compliant with Florida State Statute.
§ 559.920 (2) Florida Statute, Make or charge for repairs which have not been expressly or
impliedly authorized by the customer. The facts that support this allegation are as follows:
MJG Corporation of Pinellas never provided customer, Phyllis Melton with a written
estimate of repairs.
§ 559.920 (3) Florida Statute, Misrepresent that repairs have been made to a motor vehicle.
The facts that support this allegation are as follows: MIG Corporation of Pinellas charged
customer, Phyllis Melton, for a new bumper on her vehicle. Michael Gentile provided a
written statement that he did not replace the bumper on the vehicle.
§ 559,920 (6) Florida Statute, Fraudulently alter any customer contract, estimate, invoice,
3 or other document. The facts that support this allegation are as follows: MJG Corporation
‘of Pinellas provided a copy of an estimate/invoice purporting to have the Phyllis Melton’s
signature, which was not actually signed by the Phyllis Melton.
MJG Corporation of Pinellas Case No: 0912-48058
d/b/a Belleair Express Lube & Auto
February 4, 2010
Page Two
§ 559.920 (10) Florida Statute, Substitute used, rebuilt, salvaged, or straightened parts for
new replacement parts without notice to the motor vehicle owner and to her or his insurer if
the cost of repair is to be paid pursuant to an insurance policy and the identity of the insurer
or its claims adjuster is disclosed to the motor vehicle repair shop. The facts that support
this allegation are as follows: Michael Gentile admitted in a written statement that he used
refurbished parts instead of the new parts paid for by the customer’s insurance carrier.
§ 559.920 (14) Florida Statute, Have repair work subcontracted without the knowledge or
consent of the customer unless the motor vehicle repair shop or employee thereof
demonstrates that the customer could not reasonably have been notified. The facts that
support this allegation are as follows: MJG Corporation of Pinellas sublet the repairs to
Phyllis Melton’s vehicle to Oscar’s Body Shop without notifying Ms. Melton.
§ 559.920 (17) Florida Statute, Perform any other act that is a violation of this part or that
constitutes fraud or misrepresentation. The facts that support this allegation are as
follows: Michael Gentile admitted in a written statement that he intentionally damaged Ms.
Melton’s vehicle to inflate the estimate for monetary gain.
SETTLEMENT
At this time the Department is willing to settle this matter as follows:
MIG Corporation of Pinellas d/b/a Belleair Express Lube & Auto, shall, within 21 days
of the receipt of this letter, pay an administrative fine of Six Thousand Three Hundred Dollars
($6,300.00), and shall immediately comply with all laws and rules contained in the Florida
Motor Vehicle Repair Act. Monies should be submitted in the form of certified check or money
order made out to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
If this settlement is acceptable, please indicate your acceptance by signing the Settlement
Agreement and return the signed Settlement Agreement along with your payment and all other
documents required for settlement in the enclosed envelope within twenty-one (21) days of
receipt of this letter. Acceptance of this settlement and the timely return to the Department of all
settlement documents will conclude this matter.
MJG Corporation of Pinellas Case No: 0912-48058
d/b/a Belleair Express Lube & Auto
February, 2010
Page Three
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AVAILABLE
If you wish to contest the Department’s findings, you have the right to request an
administrative hearing to be conducted in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida
Statutes, to be represented by counsel or other qualified representative, to present evidence and
argument, to call and cross-examine witnesses, and to have subpoena and subpoena duces tecum
issued on your behalf if a hearing is requested. Your request for hearing must contain your name
and address for purposes of service, a statement requesting either a hearing involving disputed
issues of material fact or a hearing not involving disputed issues of material fact, and a reference
to this administrative complaint. If you request a hearing the offer of settlement is withdrawn
and you may receive a more severe penalty.
DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
Your request for a hearing must be received within twenty-one (21) days of receipt
of this letter. ;
FAILURE TO SETTLE OR REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
If you fail to settle or fail to request an administrative hearing within the twenty-one (21)
day deadline you waive your right to a hearing and the Department may enter a Final Order
imposing up to the maximum penalties as authorized by Florida law.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you wish to discuss this matter, please contact Investigator, James Astuto at (727)816-1242.
4AWU867 FEB 4, 20 i
SERVICE GNDCOM ner UT voLss® usp 1 OF 4 Sincerely,
TRACKINGS 124AW8674265045238
PROGRAM CODE: MVR
ORG CODE: 7 CHARLES H. BRONSON
HANDLING CHARGE 0.00 COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
SINGLE-PIECE PUB RATE CHRGS: SVC 5.26 USD : .
V @.00 CoD 8.00 RS 0.00 x... AAS
DC 3.00 DGD 2.00 SD 0.60 Pal | ine :
AH 0.00 PR 0.00 SP 0.00 ~
TOT PUB CHG 8.26 PUB+HANDLING 8.26
TM/ja
Enclosures:
Tony McDowell, Chief
Bureau of Investigations
Copy of Statutes/Registration Form
Notice of Rights
Docket for Case No: 10-004495
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Nov. 08, 2010 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 05, 2010 |
Joint Notice of Settlement and Request to Close Case filed.
|
Oct. 29, 2010 |
Order Granting Continuance (parties to advise status by November 30, 2010).
|
Oct. 28, 2010 |
Joint Revised Motion for Continuance and Request for Immediate Consideration filed.
|
Oct. 27, 2010 |
Petitioner's Motion for Continuance, or, Alternatively, Renewed Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction and Request for Immediate Consideration filed.
|
Oct. 14, 2010 |
Order Denying Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction.
|
Oct. 14, 2010 |
Notice of Transfer.
|
Oct. 13, 2010 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Oct. 11, 2010 |
Petitioner's Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Sep. 03, 2010 |
Petitioner's Supplemental Requests for Admission filed.
|
Jul. 29, 2010 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jul. 29, 2010 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for November 2, 2010; 1:30 p.m.; Clearwater, FL).
|
Jul. 14, 2010 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
|
Jul. 14, 2010 |
Petitioner's First Request for Production filed.
|
Jul. 14, 2010 |
Petitioner's First Requests for Admission filed.
|
Jul. 09, 2010 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2010 |
Initial Order.
|
Jul. 02, 2010 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2010 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2010 |
Agency referral filed.
|