Owner of specialty autobody shop in Elmsdale charged with fraud over $5,000

The owner of a specialty autobody shop in Elmsdale, N.S., who has faced several previous accusations of unfair dealingandsmall claims court cases, is facing a criminal charge.

Nova Scotia RMCPsaid that Curtis MacLean, owner of Curtis Customs Radical Garage, was charged Nov.1with fraud over $5,000. If convicted, he could faceup to 14 years in prison.

MacLean did not respond to arequest for comment.

He briefly appeared in provincial court in Shubenacadieon Mondaybut the case was adjourned until Jan. 15.

'Justice will be served'

Joe Swinimer is an avid car enthusiast who along with several others in the province saidthey saw their beloved vehicles gutted and held indefinitelyby MacLean'sgarage. Some of those unhappy customers have sued in small claims court and won.

Swinimer said the criminal charge brings a degree ofclosure,though it's been a long time coming.

"At this point, we can just hopejustice will be served eventually," said Swinimer. "It's been 12 years."

He had a vehicle in MacLean's care for a little over a decade, and saida year or so ago he saw it in the shop's lot, after being told by MacLean the vehicle was no longer in his possession.

Swinimer calledthe Nova Scotia RCMP, who launched an investigation. The charge was laid about a year later.

"People that do know me, they know I don't give up," said Swinimer. "I made the promise to Curtis Customs and Curtis MacLean, the day that we found our car that had been missing... it didn't matter if it was two years, 10 years, 20 yearswe will have them held accountable."

Elmsdale auto shop owner facing criminal fraud charge

9 months ago

Duration 1:51

Some vintage car enthusiasts in Nova Scotia who paid thousands of dollars to have their vehicles worked on or restored have been wondering for the past decade if they'd ever see their money or their cars again after taking them to a local auto shop in Elmsdale. Now the owner of the shop is facing a criminal fraud charge. Feleshia Chandler has the story.