Volkswagen: 03 VW Jetta dashboard lights/radio, obd scanner, dashboard lights

Question
I recently took my car into the dealer to check an engine light warning.  The dealer said it was the thermostat.  I said "ok." was took the car home to decide if I should get it fixed.  Upon driving it the next night I noticed the radio did not work and the dashboard lights would not go off.  I took it back to the dealer to see if the computer they hooked it up to for the initial diagnostic could have caused the problem.  The answer was of course "no".  The dealer said the radio has gone bad and would be $600 to replace and the dashboard lights are staying on because of a short, which would cost $350 to repair.  I'd like some advice because it sounds fishy to me.
Thanks for the insight.

Answer
Ken,
   I don't believe the OBD scanner would cause this, but it does sound suspicious.  Perhaps they disconnected the battery which can disable the radio, it's an "anti-theft" feature.  If so, this can be reset.  It's hard to say if they are somehow trying to scam you.  Also, check for fuses.  

- Rick