CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King has ordered Thornhill Superstores to open its financial records to former customers who sued the dealer over a "dollar over invoice" promotion.
King signed an order Aug. 21, ordering Thornhill to produce financial statements.
Plaintiffs Patricia Jarrell, David and Cortney Scragg, Anthony and Michelle Toler, and Robert and Donna Anderson claim the prices they paid for Thornhill vehicles were more than a dollar above invoice.
They sued in 2003, through attorney Harry Bell of Charleston.
They claim Thornhill would first inflate the value of a traded vehicle to show equity instead of negative equity, and then adjust for the inflation by increasing the price of a new vehicle.
Although King granted Bell's motion to see Thornhill's finances, the judge denied a new motion from Bell for summary judgment in favor of his clients.
Bell filed the motion after deposing a defense expert July 26. Bell told King the expert made it clear that Thornhill engaged in unlawful business practices.
Thornhill must open financial records
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