Cullman Alabama Used Car Dealer Pleads Guilty: Cheated Active Duty National Guardsman, Violated Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Posted by Warm Southern Breeze on Thursday, July 4, 2013
Reverend Carl Ralph Nuss, Cullman, Alabama, has plead GUILTY to violating Federal Law – Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
This is how he treats our troops?
I have nothing good to say about this, save that he plead guilty.
I hope the judge gives this criminal the maximum sentence.
And you know what else is REALLY sad?
Reverend Carl R. Nuss
Carl R. Nuss is a minister of the Gospel.
Apparently – and sadly so – he doesn’t know the Gospel too well.
Hopefully, this criminal and his criminal enterprise will soon be put out of business.
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Cullman Car Dealer Pleads Guilty to Violating Legal Protections for Active-Duty Service Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIRMINGHAM – A Cullman used car dealer pleaded guilty today for violating federal protections for active-duty military service members by refusing to reduce the loan interest rate and repossessing the vehicle he sold to a man who was later deployed overseas with the Alabama National Guard, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.
CARL RALPH NUSS, 75, entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Harwell G. Davis III to the two counts of the March indictment charging him with violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The act provides certain protections for service members called to active duty, including interest rate limitations and protection from civil suit, repossession and eviction.
Nuss entered his plea without a plea agreement with the government. He is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 12.
Nuss is owner of North Alabama Wholesale Autos in Cullman. In February 2011, he sold a 2002 Ford Sport-Trac to a 22-year-old man. The dealership sold the vehicle for $9,746 and, after a $2,200 down payment, financed the balance at 25 percent interest per year, according to the indictment.
In May 2012, the Guardsman, a private first class, was called to active duty in Afghanistan. In July 2012, according to the indictment, Nuss received a letter from the Guardsman requesting that the dealership reduce the interest rate on his car loan from 25 percent to 6 percent, as required by the relief act. Nuss never reduced the interest rate and, two days after receiving the letter, hired two men to repossess the guardsman’s truck. The two men repossessed the vehicle without a court order, in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the indictment says.
The maximum penalty for each count is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney George A. Martin Jr. is prosecuting.
http://www.justice.gov/usao/aln/News/June%202013/June%2027,%202013%20Cullman%20Car%20Dealer.html
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Cullman car dealer indicted
Joey Gaspierik | Posted: Thursday, March 28, 2013 10:59 pm
CULLMAN, Ala. (WAAY) – A federal grand jury has indicted a Cullman car dealer.
Carl Nuss owns North Alabama Wholesale Autos, and the indictment claims Nuss refused to lower the interest rate then repossessed a vehicle of an Alabama National Guardsman while deployed overseas.
Timothy Smith lives in Cullman and bought a 2002 Chevy Silverado from North Alabama Wholesale Autos last year.
He agreed to pay a 25% interest rate, but it turns out he was actually having to pay an interest rate over 40%.
He filed a lawsuit against the used car dealership after he couldn’t keep up with the steep interest rate and his truck was repossessed.
Smith says that repossession happened the day after he finished up his last chemo treatment for a cancer diagnosis.
WAAY 31 spoke with Carl Nuss about the indictment and he says he knows nothing about it.
We also spoke with his attorney’s office and they had no comment at the time.
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North Alabama Wholesale Autos
Address: 1013 2nd Ave NW, Cullman, AL 35055
Phone:(256) 734-3362
Hours: Thursday hours 8:00 am–5:30 pm
http://www.NorthAlabamaWholesaleAutos.net/
NorthAlabamaWholesaleAutos@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Alabama-Wholesale-Autos/190653687668753
Google Maps aerial satellite view: http://goo.gl/maps/UbSzt
After being indicted in March 2013, the 75-year old Owner Carl Nuss plead guilty to violating the Service Members Civil Relief Act, which protects Active Duty Military Service Members from The act provides certain protections for service members called to active duty, including interest rate limitations and protection from civil suit, repossession and eviction.
Their website states:
“We would like to welcome you and thank you for visiting our website. We offer superior sales and service for our valued customers. We are committed to serving our friends and customers and look forward to hearing from you. Please click here to contact us.
“We offer our full inventory online as well as fast and easy credit approval with our online credit application. We have financing options for a+ credit, as well as bad credit, bankruptcy, repossession, divorce and no credit. At North Alabama Wholesale Autos we care about each and every customer. Our friendly and professional staff is here to assist you with all of your vehicle purchasing or servicing needs. Feel free to get to know us by visiting our Meet Our Staff page.”
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Carl R. Nuss
1643 Pinewood Drive NW
Cullman, AL 35058
(256) 734-4647
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06/26/2013 – OFFICIAL SCRA WEBSITE (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/scra)
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/scra/
SCRA is a program that provides certain protections from civil actions against servicemembers who are called to Active Duty. It restricts or limits actions against these personnel in the areas of financial management, such as rental agreements, security deposits, evictions, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgages, civil judicial proceedings, income tax payments, and more.
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The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA), is a federal law that provides protections for military members as they enter active duty. It covers issues such as rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments.
http://www.justice.gov/crt/spec_topics/military/scra.php
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North Alabama car dealer pleads guilty in Guard loan case
Posted: Friday, June 28, 2013 1:38 pm
BIRMINGHAM (AP) — A north Alabama car dealer has pleaded guilty to refusing to adjust a vehicle loan for a National Guard member who went off to war.
Federal prosecutors say 75-year-old Carl Ralph Nuss of Cullman pleaded guilty Thursday to violating federal protections for active-duty service members.
Nuss could be sentenced to as much as two years in prison and fined $200,000.
The vehicle dealer earlier had denied doing anything wrong.
Authorities say a 22-year-old service member bought a Ford Sport-Trac from Nuss in 2011 and was later called to active duty in Afghanistan.
The guardsman last year requested a reduction in his 25 percent annual interest charge, as required by federal law. Nuss refused and repossessed the truck.
Nuss owns North Alabama Wholesale Autos in Cullman.
Sentencing is Sept. 12.
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Cullman used car dealer indicted in federal court (UPDATED)
Charge contends Servicemembers Civil Relief Act was violated
March 28, 2013
By David Palmer The Cullman Times
A federal grand jury Wednesday indicted a Cullman used car dealer for allegedly violating federal protections for active duty military service members by refusing to reduce the loan interest rate and repossessing the vehicle he sold to a man who was later deployed overseas with the Alabama National Guard.
The indictment against Carl Ralph Nuss, 75, was announced in Birmingham by U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein, Jr.
The two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Nuss with violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The act restricts or limits civil actions in the areas of financial management, including rental agreements, security deposits, evictions, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgages, civil judicial proceedings, and income tax payments, against service members called to active duty.
Nuss, owner of North Alabama Wholesale Autos in Cullman, sold a 2002 Ford Sport-Trac in February 2011 to the 22-year-old man. The dealership sold the vehicle for $9,746 and, after a $2,200 down payment, financed the balance at 25 percent interest per year, according to the indictment.
Contacted at his residence Thursday night, Nuss said he was unaware that he had been indicted. Asked if had an attorney representing him, Nuss said, “No, I don’t have an attorney. Why would I need an attorney?”
Pressed further about the indictment Nuss said, “I know what it’s about, but I’m not going to talk about it. You need to ask the young serviceman’s mother. Now goodnight.”
In May 2012, the guardsman, a private first class, was called to active duty in Afghanistan. In July 2012, according to the indictment, Nuss received a letter from the guardsman requesting that the dealership reduce the interest rate on his car loan from 25 percent to 6 percent, as required by the act. The indictment states that Nuss never reduced the interest rate and, two days after receiving the letter, hired two men to repossess the guardsman’s truck.
The two men repossessed the vehicle without a court order, in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the indictment contends.
The maximum penalty for each count is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
UPDATE
In a follow up interview with the Associated Press, Nuss, speaking in a phone interview, said the man joined the National Guard after purchasing the Sport-Trac and had his mother write a letter seeking special treatment after being deployed to Afghanistan.
“Just because this boy joined the National Guard is no reason for him not to pay me,” Nuss said. “He was behind on payments when I found out he had joined the Guard.”
The dealer said the guardsman still owed $4,200 on the vehicle when he had it repossessed. Nuss said he has since sold the vehicle to someone else.
Nuss said he will fight the charges, but a defense lawyer wanted $10,000 to represent him. Nuss said he won’t pay.
“Before they’re through with me they’ll wish they never tangled with me,” Nuss said. “This is a ploy by that family to steal that vehicle.”
Nuss could face a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $200,000 in fines if convicted on both counts, prosecutors said.
David Palmer may be contacted at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com or 256-734-2131, ext. 213.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/x237731114/Cullman-used-car-dealer-indicted-in-federal-court
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Federal grand jury indicts Cullman car dealer charged with violating act that protects active-duty military
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on March 28, 2013 at 3:48 PM, updated March 28, 2013 at 3:49 PM
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A federal grand jury Wednesday indicted a Cullman used car dealer for violating a federal act that protects active-duty military service members, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.
Carl Ralph Nuss, 75, allegedly refused to reduce a loan interest rate and repossessed a vehicle he sold to a man who was deployed overseas with the Alabama National Guard.
A grand jury examines accusations against a person charged with a crime and decides if the evidence warrants filing formal charges. The two-count indictment was filed in U.S. District Court.
Nuss is charged with violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which limits civil actions in certain areas – such as evictions, mortgage payments and credit card interest rates – against service members called to active duty.
In February 2011, Nuss, the owner of North Alabama Wholesale Autos, sold a 2002 Ford Sport-Trac to a 22-year-old man. The vehicle was sold for $9,746 and financed at 25 percent interest annually.
In May 2012, the man was called to active duty in Afghanistan. In July, the man sent Nuss a letter requesting that the dealership reduce the interest rate on his car loan from 25 percent to 6 percent, as required by the act.
Nuss never reduced the rate and, two days after receiving the letter, hired two men who repossessed the vehicle without a court order, in violation of the act.
The maximum penalty for each count is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews//print.html?entry=/2013/03/federal_grand_jury_indicts_cul.html
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Cullman Car Dealer Indicted For Violation of Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Kelsey Stein, with Al.com, reported this afternoon that Carl Ralph Nuss, of Cullman, owns North Alabama Wholesale Autos. Apparently, he sold a 2002 Ford Sport-Trac to a 22 year old man in February, 2011 for $9,746, at an interest rate of 25% annually. The man was called to active duty in May, 2012 and was stationed in Afghanistan. In July, 2012, pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, he requested a reduction in the interest rate to 6%. Nuss refused to reduce the rate, and hired two men to repossess the vehicle, without a court order, two days after receiving the letter. The two count Indictment was returned by the Grand Jury on Wednesday, March 27. Nuss faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 for each count.
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Warm Southern Breeze 
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