The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Sonic Automotive" ...
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The Sonic Deal
This series of reports uncovers deceptive sale tactics and incomplete refund settlements given by America's third largest car retailer: Sonic Automotive. Evidence reveals that lenders falsified loan applications and gave out loans that borrowers couldn't afford. Even after being ordered to distribute refunds to slighted customers, Sonic Automotive avoided paying up to almost 7000 victims because of a flawed process.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; Sonic Automotive; Clearwater Mitsubishi; Clearwater Toyota; refund; settlement; deceit; loan; financing; bank fraud; Tom Gallagher; department of financial services; payback
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Tricks of the Trade
This hidden camera investigation looks at the automobile industry as a whole, and finds that more than 52,246 customers in dealerships across 39 states have been ripped off. Dateline talked to Duane Overholt, who was a finance manager at Sonic Automotive, a major corporation that owns 187 dealerships across the country. With Overholt's help, Dateline was able to find an overwhelming amount of fraud and deception within the industry. Dateline also bought a car for the investigation and reported on the whole process, including fraud they encountered along the way.
Tags: Car salesmen; Finance