Car Dealership Charged in Smog Check Crackdown : Crime: Toyota of Garden Grove, mechanics and others face felony counts for allegedly issuing certificates for cars that failed inspections.

An Orange County car dealership, five mechanics and others were charged Tuesday with issuing smog certificates for cars that failed the state’s smog check program, officials said Tuesday.

The crackdown is the first of its kind in California, said Louis Bonsignore, a spokesman for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. It followed a six-month investigation begun after the state Bureau of Automotive Repairs received complaints or tips about violators, he said.

The defendants include Toyota of Garden Grove and a woman suspected of knowingly buying a fraudulent certificate.

Except for the consumer, all of the defendants were charged with issuing false smog certificates, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison, and with entering false information into a computer database, which carries a maximum three years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.

The consumer, Jean S. Hinckley, 62, of Fullerton, is charged with a misdemeanor, a maximum penalty of $5,000 fine and one year in jail.

Investigators from several state agencies including the district attorney’s office served search warrants most of last year.

In August, state investigators began surveillance at the Toyota dealership’s new lot on Trask Avenue and its old site on Harbor Boulevard, officials said. Search warrants were served there in November. The dealership has been charged with 16 felony violations.

Also charged are the dealership’s former service manager, Scott Lee Harrison, 35, of Yorba Linda, and a former mechanic, Edgardo Lujan, 26, of La Habra.

Also in August, agents investigated mechanic Tony Pham, 35, of Santa Ana, who worked at Doug’s Muffler and Brake Inc. on 11th Street. Pham and the owner of the company, Benito Ciano, 52, of Costa Mesa, were later arrested.

After an April stakeout by state officials, Esmaiel Fadaee, 37, of Irvine, owner of the defunct Santa Ana Public Auto Auction, fled from authorities. There is a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of 22 felony violations, officials said.

Authorities arrested Tuesday Nader Molaie Sharif, 37, of Westminster for allegedly issuing false smog certificates with Fadaee. Sharif was a mechanic at H & E Auto Repair in Orange, and is facing 12 felony counts.

Authorities also served search warrants in November on Timothy R. Slee, 47, of Corona as he worked at Bridges Union Service in Fullerton.