State charges garages, car dealers with 'title washing' fraud
The businesses include a title company, garages, and used car dealers in
According to a release from the attorney general, the ring coordinated to purchase totaled vehicles, falsify inspection information, and submit fraudulent title applications to PennDOT. This fraud was designed to bypass requirements for reconstructed titles in states such as
Investigators said the garages failed to conduct enhanced inspections on totaled vehicles after they were repaired and used stock photos of similar vehicles instead of the actual vehicles.
"That requires an enhanced inspection. you essentially have to bring that vehicle up to the proper code and manufacturing requirements that it's safe," said
The D.A. says the discovery of these crimes started at
"A high volume of titles were being issued without actual inspections taking place," Powell said. "It's all paperwork, but it's fraudulent paperwork. Not only were they collecting money, but they were really causing some great degree of harm for everyday citizens and for law enforcement in general."
Powell says as the investigation continued, they discovered other auto businesses became involved. including a tag and title shop in
The state says none of the businesses followed the requirements to make vehicles roadworthy again. Instead, just forged the paperwork. Some of the vehicles that were supposedly inspected at their shops never actually entered
"Not only are they allowing unsafe vehicles on the roadway, it's also an opportunity to hide stolen vehicles and make them unable to be detected, and then that criminal activity leads to other criminal activity," Powell said. "They would take a stolen vehicle, buy a junk vehicle, and revision those numbers are issued new VIN numbers to the stolen vehicle, avoiding detection."
Charges against the individuals and businesses involved include:
* forgery
* washing vehicle titles
* deceptive business practices
* tampering with public records
* false application for certificate of title
* altered, forged, or counterfeit documents
* insurance fraud
* bribery.
The defendants are as follows:
* George Frietto
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* Anibelkis Garcia
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The 13 businesses charged are as follows:
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* PA Tag & Title in
* Luci's
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* Best Value Auto Outlet/Oli's Auto Sales in
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* N &
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