Business & Tech
Harry Klause Sentenced to 3 Years of Probation
The Ocean City auto dealer pleaded guilty to fraud.
An Ocean City car dealer who pleaded guilty to fraud was sentenced Friday to three years of probation.
Harry Klause, president and manager of Harry Klause Cars and Trucks at 1120 Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, also must serve four months in home confinement with electronic monitoring and pay a $5,000 fine, according to his attorney, William J. Hughes Jr.
Klause was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Camden, where he admitted in August that he participated in a scheme in 2008 and 2009 to defraud automotive lenders and customers.
Hughes called the sentencing "sad news" for a man whose family has sold cars in Ocean City since the 1920s.
"He is deeply remorseful for his mistakes," Hughes said.
He said he did not know if Klause would be able to continue to operate the dealership in the future, but state regulations likely would prevent him from doing so while he's on probation.
A new sign at the property names the business "Ocean City Cars and Trucks," but there are no vehicles on the lot.
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