Owner of auto repair business fined to resolve complaints

By Nikki Villoria

Thursday, June 30, 2011 | 7:31 p.m.

Catherine Cortez Masto

The owner of Purrfect Auto in Las Vegas has been ordered to pay restitution and civil penalties to resolve complaints against the auto repair business, state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Thursday.

The attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection launched an investigation against Shafik Hirji, the owner of several Purrfect Auto franchises, in 2006 in response to complaints by customers alleging Hirji had engaged in deceptive trade practices, a news release said.

Following a hearing, District Court Judge Mark Denton ordered Hirji pay more than $118,000 in restitution, plus the money the Bureau of Consumer Protection paid to Purrfect Auto stores in the course of its investigation, the attorney general’s office said.

Hirji also was ordered to pay civil penalties of $100,000 for violations of the deceptive trade practice laws, and Hirji is permanently enjoined from engaging in the auto repair business, unless conducted “openly and transparently and in accordance with all local ordinances and state laws,” officials said.

In addition, Hirji must pay attorneys’ fees of $75,000 and other costs.