Department of Revenue News Release

ST. LOUIS - For the first time in the organizations' histories, the national and Midwest groups designed to fight odometer and title fraud will hold a joint annual conference.

The National Odometer and Title Fraud Enforcement Association (NOTFEA) and the Midwest Odometer and Title Fraud Enforcement Association (MOTFEA) will hold its joint conference April 25-28 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark at 1 South Broadway.  It is being hosted by the Missouri Department of Revenue's Criminal Investigation Bureau.

NOTFEA and MOTFEA are the foremost organizations that provide training to prevent fraud in the automobile industry.  Members include law enforcement personnel, consumer protection agencies, state motor vehicle and licensing departments, and private attorneys and investigators responsible for detecting, deterring and prosecuting odometer, salvage vehicle and title fraud.

"This is the premier conference of its kind in the nation," said Nick Humphrey, administrator of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.  "Area law enforcement officers or attorneys interested in learning how to deter motor vehicle fraud and other related crimes can still register to attend this conference.  It will be an invaluable learning experience in dealing with these issues."

Guest speakers at the conference include:  Clint Van Zandt, who was a chief hostage negotiator with the FBI and also served with the bureau's "Silence of the Lambs" unit; Retired Command Sgt. Major Eric Haney, who served with the counterterrorist unit, the Delta Force; and Bernard Brown, a nationally known attorney who represents consumers in vehicle fraud cases.

Other speakers and presentation leaders at this year's conference include representatives from the Mid-State Organized Crime Information Center, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Department of Justice, the St. Louis and Kansas City Police Departments, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

Peace Officer Standards Training credits for law enforcement personnel and Missouri Bar Continuing Legal Education credits for attorneys can be obtained by attending portions of the conference.

Questions concerning the conference can be answered by contacting Michelle Berger at (573) 751-4689 or by e-mailing her at michelle.berger@dor.mo.gov.  A Web site with more information about the conference can be accessed at http://www.notfea.org/Conferencesmotfea.htm.

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