Secretary of State fines Edinburgh company $2.5 million
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Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has levied a $2.5 million fine against an Edinburgh company his office says violated state laws regarding the purchase of catalytic converters.
G-Unit Core Inc. was found to have purchased more than 2,500 catalytic converters without obtaining the required law enforcement affidavits affirming the items were not stolen.
The company, located at 1015 South Walnut Street in Edinburgh, describes itself as “a leader in grading, buying and selling catalytic converters,” on its website.
Morales’ office said police investigations of catalytic converter thefts led them to G-Unit Core. A notice to owner Robert Hess from the Secretary of State’s Auto Dealer Services Division noted that the company’s salvage recycler’s license had expired on May 1, 2024, and the company continued to operate without a license.
After the license expired, the notice said, G-Unit Core purchased 2,591 detached catalytic converters and only obtained a law enforcement affidavit for three of those purchases.
In addition to the fine, the Secretary of State’s office has revoked G-Unit Core’s dealer license, and the company is barred from operating in Indiana.
Morales said in a news release that the action sends a message that illegal auto salvage and recycling practices will not be tolerated in Indiana.
“Our office is dedicated to protecting Indiana consumers and ensuring that businesses operate with transparency and abide by statutory requirements,” Morales said. “We will not hesitate to take strong action against those who fail to comply with state laws to the great expense of Hoosiers and the integrity of our economy.”
G-Unit Core did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Inside INdiana Business.
Morales’ office said the fine, if collected, will be directed to further consumer protection and regulatory enforcement efforts.