PHOENIX – A criminal investigation by the Arizona Department of Transportation led to the arrest of the owner of a former Authorized Third Party business in the Valley who fraudulently used vehicle titles to obtain loans from banks and other institutions.

As part of its stringent monitoring of Authorized Third Party providers, the Motor Vehicle Division’s Compliance Unit discovered irregularities in the record-keeping of the suspect, Tamica Goree, 44, owner of Motor Vehicle Southwest in Peoria. It then teamed with ADOT’s Office of Inspector General, which investigates allegations of criminal violations.

The investigation found that Goree had fraudulently added her name to the title of a 2011 Maserati sedan and then fraudulently removed the lienholder from the title. She then used the vehicle as collateral to obtain multiple bank loans. She also fraudulently used Motor Vehicle Division databases to receive loans on a newer model Porsche.

The Motor Vehicle Division immediately took steps to suspend Goree as a processor and shut down her business.

“Through its consistent monitoring of Authorized Third Party businesses for compliance with state law and agency procedures, ADOT stopped this person from defrauding others,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “While we work with private businesses to give customers more options for MVD services, we also monitor these operations closely to protect customers and their information.”

Goree’s case went before a state grand jury, which indicted her on four counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, all felonies. ADOT detectives arrested Goree and booked her into the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail on Sept. 6.

Those wishing to become authorized to transact business on MVD’s behalf must pass background checks and complete extensive training to ensure they can process transactions accurately. ADOT oversees all Authorized Third Party businesses to ensure that stringent operational requirements are being followed.

PHOENIX – One of the most common Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division transactions just got a bit easier with the addition of more Authorized Third Party providers permitted to offer driver license services including road testing, written testing and photos.

There are now 22 third-party providers, operating at 33 locations, authorized to offer these transactions. To do so, they must meet stringent qualifications set by MVD.

These services are provided at all MVD offices and require an in-person visit. Customers looking for convenience may wish to consider an Authorized Third Party.

“Partnering with Authorized Third Party providers is a very successful example of government and the private sector cooperating to offer outstanding customer service,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “These offices are a convenient and popular supplement to MVD locations. Having more of them offering driver licenses is another great example of MVD getting people out of line and safely on the road.”

All Authorized Third Party providers must follow MVD guidelines and are monitored for compliance. Operators that offer driver license services have additional requirements, including having been a third-party provider for at least three years, conducting at least 1,000 transactions per month for one year, having an appropriate facility and meeting certain financial requirements.

With several more Authorized Third Party locations expected to open before the end of the year, information about which offices provide driver license services can be found at ServiceArizona.com or azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX – By expanding the use of technology and third-party options, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is making it ever easier for motorists to renew vehicle registrations, apply for driver licenses and more without visiting MVD offices.

Numbers for 2015 tell the story:

4.4 million: That’s the number of transactions by residents processed last year through ServiceArizona.com. That’s an increase from 4.2 million in 2014. This past year, 60 percent of all vehicle registration renewals were done through ServiceArizona. In addition, 3.3 million transactions were processed through ServiceArizona.com by businesses like car dealerships, bringing the total to 7.7 million transactions. ServiceArizona is accessible through desktops, laptops and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

4 million: That’s the number of 2015 transactions processed by Authorized Third Party businesses conveniently located around the state. It’s an increase from 3.8 million in 2014.

By comparison, Motor Vehicle Division offices, which typically handle more complex transactions, processed 3.1 million in 2015.

Another notable number: 22. That’s how many Authorized Third Party businesses offer assistance with driver licenses and identification cards in addition to the vehicle title and registration available at most authorized businesses. That’s an increase from seven such businesses in 2014. The Motor Vehicle Division aims to continue to increase that number.

Offering more options to customers is among the ways the Motor Vehicle Division is improving service and meeting Governor Doug Ducey’s call for innovation and efficiency in state government.

“At MVD, our vision is to get Arizona ‘out of the line and safely on the road.’  Our private industry partners and online service options through ServiceArizona.com make these important transactions more convenient for Arizonans to conduct,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said.

Other alternatives include 39 ServiceArizona kiosks located in many Motor Vehicle Division offices and a couple of city courthouses. These kiosks offer the same functionality as the ServiceArizona website.

For more information, visit ServiceArizona.com.

A list of Authorized Third Party businesses and MVD offices can be found at azdot.gov/mvdlocations.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division won an award at the recent American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Conference for its expanded offering of driver license services at Authorized Third Party businesses across the state.

The Motor Vehicle Division received a Customer Convenience Award for giving customers more options to obtain a driver license or identification card by expanding the number of Authorized Third Party businesses that offer those credentials.

“One of MVD’s goals is to give communities across Arizona more access to our services,” said Third Party Program Administrator Juan Beltran. “Earlier this year, we rolled out a phased expansion program, and have added three to four businesses in each phase to expand the number of Third Party businesses that offer driver licenses and identification cards.”

There are currently 19 Authorized Third Party businesses around the state that offer driver license services in addition to title and registration services.

ADOT’s goal is to have 23 Authorized Third Party businesses offering driver license and identification card services around the state by next January.

A list of Authorized Third Party businesses and MVD offices can be found at azdot.gov/mvdlocations.