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Family squabbles often end with a decision or agreement reached in the home. But in a case set for trial next week, it will take a jury to decide the outcome of the family-business dispute.
The case involves a tug-of-war of sorts over management and ownership issues regarding Downtown Ford Inc., a Louisville car dealership. One brother is pitted against his father and another brother.
James G. "Gary" Collins filed suit in January 1998 against William H. "Bill" Collins and William K. "Kevin" Collins. Bill Collins is Kevin Collins' father. Gary Collins is Bill Collins' adopted son and Kevin Collins' half brother. Bill and Kevin Collins filed a response and counterclaims to Gary Collins' suit.
Bill Collins is chairman and Kevin Collins is president of Collins Auto Group, 4220 Bardstown Road, which ranked second on Business First's April 7 list of largest area new-car dealers with 4,330 vehicles sold or leased in 1999. Collins Auto Group today includes Bill Collins Ford, Collins Nissan, Downtown Ford and CarForce, a used-vehicle dealership.
Gary Collins' dismissal from his leadership role at Downtown Ford Inc. in January 1998 was followed by the legal battle that is heading to a jury trial set to begin on Tuesday, July 18, in Jefferson Circuit Court.
Attempts to mediate and settle the dispute during the past two years have failed, according to Meredith L. Boyd, public relations manager at the vimarc group, which represents Collins Auto Group.
The Downtown Ford dealership, on Fifth Street between York Street and Broadway, is owned by Bill Collins (60 percent), Gary Collins (20 percent) and Kevin Collins (20 percent), according to court documents.
Numerous accusations and denials by the family members about each other and about various business dealings appear in complaints, amended complaints, responses and counterclaims that are on file in Jefferson Circuit Court.
Kevin Collins called it "a troublesome situation for the family and the business."
Bill Collins said he is concerned about the jury trial and considers the situation an unfortunate circumstance.
Gary Collins said he did not want to make a statement and referred a reporter to court documents.
Issues involved in the case date to Downtown Ford's founding in 1984. Bill Collins established Downtown Ford that year in order to purchase...