Used car dealer, manager plead innocent

JUNEAU (AP) -- A former consignment used-car dealer and his former sales manager pleaded innocent Friday to federal charges that they swindled people who brought in cars for sale.

Curtis McQueen, owner of the defunct McQueen Motors, is charged with 13 counts of mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Kenneth Hill, former sales manager for McQueen, is charged with eight counts of mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy.

They are accused of selling vehicles, reporting a lower sales price to the person who consigned the car, and pocketing the difference.

According to the indictment, McQueen and Hill defrauded at least 14 people out of about $130,000. Each faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Federal Magistrate Philip Pallenberg set bail for McQueen at $10,000. Hill was released on his own recognizance.