OTHER NEWS - Jan. 11, 1993

Former Value Rent-A-Car Owners Accused of Fraud: Value Rent-A-Car Inc. rigged its computer system to set up a scam overcharging customers who returned their cars with less than a full tank of gas, a federal indictment says. The indictment says Steven M. Cohen, one of three former owners charged, fixed Value’s computer system in 1988 to add five gallons to the fuel tank capacity of every vehicle in Value’s fleet. This allowed the Boca Raton, Fla.-based company, acquired by Mitsubishi Motor Sales in 1990, to overcharge customers who turned in cars with less than a full tank. Federal prosecutor Lothar Genge said that through 1991, about 47,000 customers were slapped with the phony charge, which ranged from a couple of dollars to $10 or $15. Attorney Mike Pasano said Stephen Cohen and the three other defendants will plead innocent to the charges.