Plea Entered in Okla. Auto Repair Fraud Case

The former owner of a Norman, Oklahoma automotive repair shop pleaded no contest this week in Cleveland County District Court to two counts of unfair or deceptive trade practices, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said.

James B. Long was sentenced to a two-year deferred sentence and ordered to pay $1,136 restitution for allegedly operating an automobile repair scam. Long is also prohibited from working in the auto repair business during the term of his sentence.

Long and his mother, Donna K. Long, were charged in May 2003 after an investigation by the attorney general’s consumer protection unit. Donna Long’s next scheduled court appearance is in November.

The state’s complaint included allegations of overcharging and intimidating customers, incomplete repairs and intentionally causing additional damage to vehicles brought in for repair.

Edmondson said the Norman Police Department assisted in the investigation and provided information that complaints had been filed against previous businesses run by the Longs, Midwest Auto Repair in Midwest City and Autoworks of Norman.