LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nine Nebraska auto dealers were fined for using deceptive or misleading advertisements to sell vehicles.

The Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board ruled that the dealers ran illegal ads about pricing or financing, reported the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper.

Each dealership involved was fined $2,000, with the exception of one whose sister dealership was also fined. Two fines for the same management team would have been excessive, the board decided.

The owner of one of the dealerships that got fined is also a member of the board. He abstained from voting on his dealership's fine and said he would not contest the board's order because he erred by not checking a radio ad.

According to the Journal Star, violations have concerned advertisements that failed to disclose actual vehicle prices, suggested that any competitor's price would be beat or that every customer would receive financing.