LOCAL : Agencies Probe H.B. Dealership

State and local investigators searched the Wilson Ford dealership in Huntington Beach Sunday night and removed computer data and other records as part of an investigation into alleged fraudulent sales, a state Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman said.

Gary Quinliven said the search, which began about 7:30 p.m. and closed the dealership about four hours early, involved 11 DMV investigators as well as personnel from the state Justice Department, the Orange County district attorney’s office and the Huntington Beach Police Department. U.S. Navy officials were also involved because some of the fraud allegations involved sales to Navy personnel, a spokesman for the Justice Department said.

None of the agencies would reveal details of the investigation, how long it has been going on or its scope.

Wilson Ford managers were meeting at the dealership this morning and said they would issue a statement today. Marshall Mintz, a lawyer for the dealership, said earlier that the dealership was “cooperating fully with a local administrative review.”