FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2012
Contact: Megan Sanborn
(207) 441-0501

Secretary of State's Office of Investigations Releases Year End Report

The Secretary of State’s, Office of Investigations has completed its Year End Report for 2011. Of the 2,856 cases assigned in 2011, 596 were consumer complaints, ranging from warranty issues to unsafe vehicles. The Office investigated and closed 373 of those cases, resulting in $134,180.99 in restitution being returned to the consumer. Secretary of State, Charlie Summers received the report and praised the detectives for their work on behalf of all Maine citizens commenting that “consumer complaints are one of the most important responsibilities of the office and the detectives do an outstanding job in assisting those who need our help”.

Consumer complaints are just one of many responsibilities of the Office of Investigations. Detectives are charged with the enforcement of a highly specialized field of law enforcement. They are uniquely trained, qualified and authorized to pursue regulatory compliance and bring to prosecution crimes under motor vehicle and criminal law. In addition to consumer complaints, responsibilities include regulation and enforcement of laws concerning vehicle dealers, title fraud, odometer fraud, automobile identification, auto theft investigations, registration evasion, insurance fraud, driver license and state identification card fraud, and other special assignments.

The Office Investigation includes eleven sworn, Maine Criminal Justice Academy certified law enforcement officers and support staff.