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Select Board denies Rey's Auto Class 2 license after police memo alleges pattern of fraudulent sales
Summary
The Dighton Select Board denied a Class 2 motor vehicle license for Rey's Auto (applicant Steven Remy) after the town administrator read a memo from Deputy Chief Brian Richards saying investigations by Dighton Police and Maine State Police found probable cause of fraudulent out-of-state sales and licensing violations. Attorney M Long requested a continuance but the board voted to deny.
The Dighton Select Board on June 11 denied a Class 2 motor vehicle license application for Rey's Auto (doing business as Rey's Auto LLC, applicant Steven Remy) after officials presented investigative findings that raised concerns about the applicant’s fitness for licensing.
Town Administrator read a June 8 memorandum from Deputy Chief Brian Richards outlining an ongoing investigation into Remy and Bristol County/Rey's Auto at 2387 Winrip Street. The memo said Dighton Police and Maine State Police Detective James Gordon found evidence that Remy used a Maine dealer license to process sales while operating from the Dighton location in order to avoid Massachusetts consumer-protection requirements. The memo said many vehicles sold were low-value or salvage, that Remy lacked required recycling licenses in Maine and Massachusetts, and that Probable cause exists that “Steven Remy has engaged in a pattern of fraudulent vehicle sales.” The memo noted a request to Maine’s dealer licensing authority seeking suspension or revocation of the Maine dealer license and that Remy has been formally charged.
Attorney M Long, appearing for the applicant, said the criminal investigations in Dighton and Maine were new information and asked the board to continue the licensing matter until the investigations conclude. Board members discussed statutory standards for licensing — whether an applicant is a “proper person” to engage in the business and whether required business conditions are met — and cited the police memo’s allegations and victim reports of aggressive conduct.
Following discussion, a motion to deny the Class 2 motor vehicle license was made, seconded and carried. The board also considered a related, separate license held by a different local licensee (referred to in the record as Prock/PL) and voted not to rescind that other license after members reported positive references for that licensee.
The Select Board’s action denies Rey’s Auto’s application; the police investigations reported in the memorandum are ongoing. The town administrator and police department provided the memorandum as the factual basis presented at the hearing. No additional formal licensing conditions were put on the record for Rey’s Auto at the meeting.
The board closed the public hearing before voting. No public speakers appeared in favor of the license at the hearing session.
