Attorney General files consumer protection lawsuit against Fridley used car dealer

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s anger showed in how he read his announcement about filing suit against a Fridley-based used car company for violations of the state's Used Car Law .

He would read one page, turn it over, and slam it down hard on the table next to his podium.

“Midwest Car Search and its owner Scott Spiczka violated that trust,” Ellison said on Tuesday, noting that people need to navigate the car-buying process with dignity, safety, and respect.

In the lawsuit, Ellison claims Midwest Car Search misrepresented the quality of their cars by labeling them as certified, where they were not.

Other violations including adding expensive service contracts, and not providing warranties.

“I felt used,” said Henry Holmes, 73, of Minneapolis, who was denied service when he brought back a car he bought, one that was literally falling apart after he drove it off the lot.

“I can’t see letting people get away with something like that, and using elderly people that don’t understand what they’re talking about.”

Ellison also said others that were targeted were people who didn’t speak English.

“They didn’t translate any of the paperwork,” said Manuela Enriquez, 43, of Burnsville, through a translator.

Ellison said his office’s investigation revealed that MCS fraudulently sold about 3,200 vehicles to Minnesotans from 2017 to 2022.

He wants to stop the illegal practices by the company, and get back the money for those who were duped.

That’s as far as his office can go, and that was tightened up last year when the Minnesota legislature passed the Used Car Law.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if criminal authorities were at least notified, and they can take it from there,” Ellison said. “It wouldn’t be the first time that criminal authorities took an interest.”

A call from WCCO Radio to MCS on Tuesday confirmed that the business was still in operation.

Minnesota law requires used car dealers to provide an express, written warranty on sales of used vehicles, subject only to limited exceptions. Approximately half of the used cars MCS sold between 2017 and 2022 were entitled to warranty protection under Minnesota law based on the age, price, and mileage of the car.