A Texas woman says she was shocked when the lawyer representing Ben Keating Auto Group began sending her what she describes as “inappropriate, obsessive, and creepy” messages after she filed a small claims suit over alleged damage to her vehicle.
The woman, a disabled single mother and startup owner named Christie, says Brandon L. Starling, the attorney for Keating Auto Group, sent her emails late at night that felt intimidating and personal. In one message, he insulted her by calling her “disgusting and unhinged.” In another, he referenced an obscure book she had authored on Amazon, mocking the fact that it only had one review.
“It creeped me out,” she said. “Why is a lawyer snooping around my personal work on Amazon late at night after sending me legal threats? That’s not normal behavior from a professional. It felt like stalking.”
She questions whether Ben Keating himself authorized this conduct or is even aware of the tone and content of Starling’s communications.
“Are these the kinds of lawyers Ben Keating hires to represent his brand?” she asked. “Is this how they treat women, especially single mothers, people with disabilities, or entrepreneurs trying to stand up for themselves in court?”
The woman filed her original lawsuit in small claims court, alleging that Keating Auto Group damaged her truck not once, but twice. She claims the dealership failed to uphold their contract to fix the issue and forced her to absorb the losses. After she filed, Brandon Starling retaliated by requesting the court to dismiss her case with prejudice and impose a $5,000 sanction, something she says is practically unheard of in a small claims dispute.
Now, she’s speaking out publicly, saying she wants other consumers to know what kind of treatment they may face if they challenge a large dealership in court.
“I used to admire racers like Ben Keating,” she said. “My mother was a racer. I never thought someone in the racing world would treat people this way, especially someone vulnerable just trying to get justice.”
