Denny Hecker, one of Minnesota’s largest auto dealers and owner of Advantage Rent A Car, is alleging that the financial arm of Chrysler LLC acted in bad faith when it froze Hecker’s credit lines.

In a lawsuit filed Nov. 13 in federal court in Minneapolis, Hecker is alleging that the move by Chrysler Financial left Hecker and his companies unable to finance the purchase of new vehicles from several manufacturers. The Denny Hecker Automotive Group has 18 dealerships in Minnesota, plus three in California.

The suit alleges that Chrysler Financial’s conduct frustrated Hecker’s day-to-day operations and may have ruined Hecker’s attempt to sell his car rental business. Chrysler Financial has financed Hecker’s operations for almost two decades.

A spokesman for Chrysler Financial declined comment because the case is in litigation.