Consumer hotline: 1-800-593-5000  Are you a potential victim? Email us  FULL VIDEO: State Patrol news conference  Must watch exclusive interview:  Part 1   Part 2 Related stories:  State Patrol hotline flooded with Hecker questions   Felony fraud investigation launched against Hecker group  Trustee asks for Hecker's IGH lot to be sold   HECKER: 'Today was like a relief'  Hecker charged with DWI   Hecker injured in car accident  Hecker faces new $7.2M lawsuit  Customers left with debt  Court awards Chrysler $477M  What to do if you have a car from Hecker   Hecker statement forewarns of more closures   Hecker closes another lot, customers out $   EMPLOYEES: Hecker hasn't paid, medical benefits gone  Hecker sells rental car business for $19M  Hecker's rental car company files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy  Customers confused on car service after closures  Hecker closes 6 dealerships  Hecker files lawsuit against Chrysler Financial

Background:
 Read statement from GMAC
 View the bankruptcy documents
 View Hecker's credit counseling agreement
 View Hecker's income record
 Read full statement from Hecker

Denny Hecker's attorneys blame GMAC for the problems that led to a criminal investigation and could file suit against the company.

The Minnesota State Patrol announced a criminal investigation of Denny Hecker Auto Group Wednesday and searched six Hecker properties. The agency is looking into claims that Hecker dealerships failed to give customers their titles and license plates and also failed to pay off the liens on trade-ins. If true, the claims could lead to charges of felony motor vehicle fraud.

One of Hecker's corporate attorneys, Bill Morhman, said it's not Hecker's fault but GMAC. Morhman said General Motors took over several of Hecker's dealerships earlier this year.

"Let me very clear. When the vehicles were sold, Hecker did not receive money from transaction. GMAC did," Morhman explained.

Mohrman said Hecker's company has been urging GMAC to pay the funds since March.

GMAC released a statement late Wednesday, explaining that a 'trade-in vehicle transaction is between the dealer and the customer. With respect to liens on trade-in vehicles not being satisfied, GMAC is not a party to those transactions and the dealer, not GMAC, has the responsibility to satisfy all liens.'

The Department of Public Safety agreed with GMAC.

"The law states if you're a dealer collecting fees, it's the dealership's responsibility, not the creditor's responsibility (to transfer those fees to the state)," said DPS spokesman Andy Skoogman. "I think that's the heart of the issue here."

Hecker's personal attorney Marsh Halberg said Hecker's corporate attorneys are going to file a civil lawsuit against GMAC. Halberg said the civil suit will allege GMAC failed to live up to its agreement with Hecker's dealerships.