Messy Divorce Takes Down Manteca Car Dealer

MANTECA, Calif. (CBS13) -- A formerly vibrant car dealership lot survived the economic downturn but appears to have fallen victim to a nasty divorce fight in the courts.

Fifteen salespeople have already been let go and 50 employees in total could be out of work after the bank accounts belonging to the Manteca Auto Plaza were frozen by a divorce court appellate.

All of the dealerships new cars were hauled away on big rigs earlier this week by the business' lender, according to owner Mike Peters.

"It's amazing a family court judge can step in a personal matter and bring down a corporation, bring down 50 families and a viable business," Peters said, "especially with the unemployment rate being 17, 18 percent."

The business used to sell more than 100 vehicles a month before the economic downturn and was able to continue selling 40-45 each month even after the end of the Pontiac and Oldsmobile brands, Peters added.

Part owner Michael Anderson said the court order has already virtually ensured the destruction of the business.

"The bus has already been driven off the bridge into the water," Anderson said. "We're sitting there with our seatbelts on."

Peters' ex-wife declined to comment to CBS13 on Friday.