Sting Operation Shuts Down Auto Shop

By Jim Stebinger

Wednesday, August 11 -- A Santa Monica auto shop will go out of business Wednesday after its co-owners pleaded no contest to violations of state law, the city attorney's office has announced.

Lincoln Auto Repair and Muffler was shut down following a undercover sting operation prompted by consumer complaints, according to Dep. City. Atty. Adam Radinsky.

Wassim Boustani and Fadi "Fred" Afra, the co-owners of the shop, entered no contest pleas in Santa Monica Municipal Court on Monday to charges that their business was performing repairs that had not been disclosed in the estimate - which is a violation of state law.

The two were also charged with making false statements about repairs, according to officials. Part of the agreement included the closure of the business as of Wednesday.

The California Bureau of Auto Repair uncovered the criminal acts during an undercover operation in 1998, officials said.

In addition to closing their business the owners also surrendered their license to operate an auto repair shop, paid a fine of $8,224 to the Bureau of Auto Repair and were placed on three year's probation.

Trial had been set for August 31.