North Hollywood : Ex-Auto Repair Shop Operator Convicted

The former operator of a North Hollywood auto repair shop was convicted Thursday of selling faulty transmissions to unsuspecting customers who thought they were getting a bargain.

John H. Kang, 47, of Woodland Hills pleaded no contest in Los Angeles Municipal Court to a count of grand theft, Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn said.

Kang was placed on three years’ probation and ordered to pay $4,950, Hahn said. Kang was also given the choice of spending 10 days in jail or working on a graffiti-removal crew supervised by the Los Angeles Police Department, the city attorney said.

Kang, who operated John’s Auto Repair Shop at 7000 Laurel Canyon Blvd., offered transmissions at discount prices in a classified ad magazine, Deputy City Atty. Don Kass said. Investigators from the state’s Bureau of Automotive Repair bought three transmissions from Kang, none of which met state standards, Kass said.

Kang has since sold the business, Kass said. Kang’s case, he said, was part of a May sting operation in which several other auto repair shop owners were charged with fraudulent business practices.