Pasadena car dealership accused of intimidating customers

A family is suing Pasadena car dealership, alleging that a test drive turned ugly when an employee resorted to intimidation tactics in an attempt to make a sale.

Olegario Moreno and Guadalupe Tototzintle filed a lawsuit on Aug. 13 in the Harris County District Court against Asbury Automotive Group, doing business in Pasadena as David McDavid Nissan Houston. The suit claims violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The plaintiffs say on March 12, 2011, a sales representative at David McDavid misled, deceived and intimidated them, going so far as threatening to call immigration officials to have them deported, so they would buy a car.

The suit alleges the salesman threatened the family after they returned from a test drive, telling them forcefully that they had not just test driven the vehicle, but had purchased the vehicle.

The plaintiffs are seeking attorney's fees, court costs and damages. They are being represented in the case by Houston attorney Richard A. Hinojosa.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2012-45969.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.