MORE PROBLEMS FOR AUTO SPORTS BY THE LAKE OWNER
Under Investigation by State


By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

DENVER – Despite being closed since July, there are more problems surfacing for Auto Sports By The Lake owner John Rosenbaum.

Sources close to The Carolina Scoop revealed Rosenbaum is under investigation of the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ License and Theft Bureau for failing to deliver titles, tags and licenses to customers in a timely manner.

Rosenbaum owned and operated the business since 1998 until it closed last month. The business had previously been the site of several larcenies, including the theft of tires and wheels off vehicles.

“It’s the ailing economy,” said Rosenbaum, citing the reason for closing his Highway 16 business.

According to Rosenbaum, his inventory of nearly 200 luxury vehicles was losing value at a faster rate than normal while waiting to be sold off his lot because of the weak economy. Rosenbaum said his vehicles were dropping in value about $1,000 per week; in a month’s time, he was losing $4,000 per vehicle.

Rosenbaum said the number of titles in question is between 10 and 20. He contends he had to put the tax money in escrow or – in his words – “its embezzlement.”

DMV officials confirmed Rosenbaum is cooperating with the investigation and he said he is working quickly to resolve the situation. It’s against state law to be delinquent in delivering vehicle documentation to customers.

During a previous sheriff’s administration, Rosenbaum contended that “nothing” was being done regarding thefts from his business. Despite having a security gate that was supposed to be used, Rosenbaum said in a 2006 interview the gate couldn’t be locked because of the massive inventory of cars.

Despite the criticism, deputies said in the 2006 article they regularly patrolled the business as part of their east Lincoln patrols.

Rosenbaum is now the general manager of a car dealership in Lexington, NC.

Lincolnton auto dealership owner Darin Grooms has purchased the Highway 16 location. Grooms said he plans on selling luxury cars at the site. Grooms said there is no connection between himself, Rosenbaum or Auto Sports By The Lake.