BRASELTON, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The owner of Braselton Used Auto Sales rushed out the back door of his Jackson County business on Wednesday evening when CBS Atlanta News crews arrived.
Moments later he could be seen peeling away inside a BMW convertible.
Richard Wilder had promised to do an on-camera interview with CBS Atlanta News to answer questions about claims against him by customers at the car lot on Highway 53 in Braselton and the tax return business he runs at the same location.
Wilder was arrested last week and charged with theft by deception and racketeering in connection with the tax business.
At that time, CBS Atlanta News was investigating claims against Wilder made by customers from his car lot.
Customer David Pirkle is still having problems with his car. He told CBS Atlanta News he bought an extended warranty, but can't get the necessary repairs made.
"All I wanted was a decent vehicle to drive back and forth to work," Pirkle said.
Pirkle tried to take Wilder to small claims court, only to learn the business is registered more than 200 miles south of Braselton, in Dooley County.
Wilder promised CBS Atlanta News an on-camera interview to answer Tough Questions about the claims against him with both businesses.
When Wilder rushed out the back door of his business, he let the shop unattended with more than a dozen set of car keys hanging on the wall.
CBS Atlanta's crew left and shut the door. Moments later by phone, a man told the news crew that Wilder had been fired.
His mechanic "Brandon" told the same story when asked what happened to Wilder.
"He got laid off," Brandon said.
The car lot's business license is in Richard Wilder's name.
Wilder is currently out on bond with the charges from his tax business.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
