Brooklyn consumer sues Generation Kia and bank over auto financing dispute


Judge Natasha C. Merle of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York | US Senate Judiciary Committee (Wikipedia Commons)

A Brooklyn consumer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging deceptive sales and financing practices stemming from the purchase of a family SUV. The complaint accuses the defendants of placing the buyer into a loan agreement that exceeded the agreed purchase terms.

The plaintiff, Esran L. Boothe, alleges that he visited Generation Kia’s dealership in Bohemia, New York, after seeing an advertisement for a Nissan Armada Platinum. According to the complaint, a sales representative quoted a reduced vehicle price, after which Boothe provided an $8,000 down payment. He claims that when he proceeded to financing, his request to use his preferred credit union was denied, and he was instead directed to finance the purchase through Associated Banc-Corp.

Boothe alleges that he declined optional add-ons such as extended warranties and GAP coverage, as reflected by electronic contract entries marked “N/A.” Despite this, he claims those products were later added to the contract without his knowledge or authorization. The final agreement allegedly reflected an amount financed of $58,649.32 with an annual percentage rate of 9.09 percent, substantially higher than the negotiated vehicle price.

The lawsuit further alleges that the dealership used electronic contracting practices that did not comply with federal or state electronic signature requirements, allowing contract terms to be altered after execution. Boothe also claims that the dealership and lender violated the Truth in Lending Act by failing to provide accurate disclosures and by incorporating undisclosed charges into the financing agreement.

Boothe seeks actual damages related to alleged overcharges and increased finance costs, as well as statutory damages under the Truth in Lending Act.

The plaintiff is represented by attorneys of Dombrow Law Firm. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-06740.

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