===============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SMART CHOICE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
----------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
831686 20 9
--------------
(CUSIP Number)
JAMES EDWARD ERNST
SMART CHOICE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
P.O. BOX 5020
WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 32793
(321) 383-4209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
MARCH 11, 2002
--------------
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G
to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the
following box [ ].
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.
Page 1 of 5 Pages
Cusip No 831686 20 9 13D Page 2 of 5 Pages
------------------ -------- --------
1. NAME AND IRS IDENTIFICATION OF REPORTING PERSON
JAMES EDWARD ERNST
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [ ]
N/A (b) [ ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SEC USE ONLY
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS
PF
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS [ ]
IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
UNITED STATES
---------------------------------------------------------------------
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF 6,857,907
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY 0
EACH --------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON WITH
--------------------------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
6,857,907
--------------------------------------------------------
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
6,857,907
---------------------------------------------------------------------
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES [ ]
N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
79.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 of 5 Pages
SCHEDULE 13D OF JAMES EDWARD ERNST
RESPECTING THE SECURITIES OF SMART CHOICE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
This filing relates to the acquisition of shares of the $.01 par value
common stock (the "Common Stock") of Smart Choice Automotive Group, Inc., a
Florida corporation (the "Issuer"), whose principal executive offices are
located at P.O. Box 5020, Winter Park, Florida 32793.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
This Schedule 13D is filed by James Edward Ernst, an individual whose
business address is P.O. Box 5020, Winter Park, Florida 32793. Mr. Ernst is the
Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer.
Mr. Ernst not been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the last
five years nor has he, during the last five years, been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction which
resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or
prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws
or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Mr. Ernst is a citizen of the United States.
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
Effective March 11, 2002, Mr. Ernst purchased with personal funds from
Crown Group, Inc. ("Crown"), in a privately negotiated transaction, all of the
6,857,907 shares of common stock of the Issuer held by Crown for an aggregate
purchase price of $100.00. Prior to this transaction, Mr. Ernst did not own any
securities of the Issuer.
ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.
The acquisition effected by Mr. Ernst, the Chief Executive Officer of
the Issuer, was for the purposes of investment and to exercise influence and
control over the management of the Issuer. The Issuer presently has no ongoing
operations, and Mr. Ernst is overseeing the winding up of the business of the
Issuer. Mr. Ernst expects that all members of the Board of Directors of the
Issuer other than himself will resign in the near future, and that he will cause
Larry Kiem, the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer, to be elected to the
Board of Directors of the Issuer.
Page 3 of 5 Pages
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN THE SECURITIES OF ISSUER.
(a) Mr. Ernst beneficially owns in the aggregate 6,857,907 shares
of the Issuer's common stock. Mr. Ernst beneficially owns
79.8% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the
Issuer.
(b) Mr. Ernst possesses sole voting and dispositive powers with
respect to all of the securities of the Issuer beneficially
owned by him.
(c) Effective March 11, 2002, Mr. Ernst purchased from Crown, in a
privately negotiated transaction, all of the 6,857,907 shares
of common stock of the Issuer held by Crown for an aggregate
purchase price of $100.00.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDING OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Effective March 11, 2002, Crown and Mr. Ernst executed a Bill of Sale
evidencing the sale of the Subject Shares from Crown to Mr. Ernst.
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
The Bill of Sale referred to in Item 6 is filed as an exhibit hereto.
Page 4 of 5 Pages
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete, and
correct.
/s/ James Edward Ernst
----------------------------------------
James Edward Ernst
March 26, 2002
Page 5 of 5 Pages