Federal Judge Keeps New Jersey Car Dealership Class Action in Federal Court

Lawsuit alleges improper fees and registration delays at two NJ dealerships

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:03pm

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An extreme close-up of the pebbled leather texture of a car door panel, dramatically lit to reveal the intricate details and materiality of automotive design.A close examination of the materials and construction of automobiles reveals the complex web of consumer protections at stake in this class action lawsuit.Newark Today

A federal judge denied a request to send a proposed class action lawsuit against two New Jersey car dealerships back to state court, allowing the case to proceed in federal court. The lawsuit alleges the dealerships charged improper fees and failed to provide timely vehicle registration, impacting a broader group of customers.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing legal disputes between consumers and car dealerships over alleged deceptive practices, with the federal court system playing a key role in determining the scope and validity of the claims.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by Andrew Mallon after purchasing a used vehicle in 2025 from Dalessio Auto Group, operating as Schumacher Chevrolet Buick of Boonton. Mallon claims the dealership charged a $399 'documentary fee' without properly itemizing the services included, and failed to provide timely vehicle registration and license plates for his home state of Michigan. The complaint includes four causes of action, with three brought as class claims alleging similar practices affected other customers. Defendants removed the case to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act, and the judge denied Mallon's request to return it to state court.

  • Mallon filed the lawsuit in January 2026 in Morris County Superior Court.
  • The alleged improper fees and registration delays occurred in 2025 after Mallon's used vehicle purchase.

The players

Andrew Mallon

The plaintiff who filed the lawsuit after purchasing a used vehicle from the dealerships.

Dalessio Auto Group

The parent company operating Schumacher Chevrolet Buick of Boonton, one of the defendant dealerships.

Schumacher Chevrolet Buick of Boonton

A New Jersey car dealership named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Judith Schumacher-Tilton

An individual identified as a defendant in the lawsuit, related to the Boonton dealership.

U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler

The federal judge who denied the request to send the case back to state court.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to hold car dealerships accountable for any deceptive practices that take advantage of consumers.”

— Andrew Mallon, Plaintiff

What’s next

The case will now proceed in federal court, where motions to dismiss and other pretrial proceedings are expected to shape whether the claims move forward. No ruling has yet been made on the merits of the allegations, and the claims remain unproven.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between consumers and car dealerships over alleged deceptive practices, with the federal court system playing a key role in determining the scope and validity of such claims.