State: Gwinnett car dealer issued fake permits to avoid title taxes

The operator of a Lilburn car dealership has been charged with forgery and false statements after the Georgia Department of Revenue alleged that the company issued hundreds of fraudulent temporary operating permits in one year.

The state agency took out a warrant for Angela Cruel’s arrest on those charges after they found that Zoom Time Motors, LLC had issued more than 500 temporary operating permits in 12 months, but had only four recorded title sales, the department said in a release. These fraudulent permits were believed to be intended to allow people to avoid paying their title taxes.

Temporary operating permits allow people to drive a newly purchased car while awaiting their official Georgia license plate. New car buyers can use this permit for up to 30 days. In order to get an official state plate, car buyers have to pay the title tax, which is tied to the value of the newly purchased car.

“This type of activity does a disservice to legitimate auto dealers throughout the state,” said Josh Waites, director of the office or special investigations, in the release. “We will continue to find and track others who are cheating the state.”

If you believe an auto dealer may be involved in criminal activity, you can call the Department of Revenue Auto Crimes Unit at 404-417-2123.