AG Shapiro Announces Sweeping Fraud Arrests in Motor vehicle Title Washing Ring, Expenses From 30 People today and 21 Enterprises

Criminal enterprises submitted bogus motor vehicle title programs to PennDOT, leading to probably unsafe autos on the road

HARRISBURG —Attorney Basic Josh Shapiro these days declared felony charges in opposition to 30 individuals and 21 companies for “title washing” and for re-titling stolen motor vehicles in Lebanon, Lehigh, and Philadelphia counties. The title washing fraud was built to bypass rigid necessities for reconstructed titles in states these as New Jersey and New York. The re-titling of these stolen motor vehicles was supposed to make those cars seem respectable for resale or export.

The individuals in these felony networks are alleged to have acquired totaled cars that they then falsified inspection facts for and submitted fraudulent title applications to PennDOT as effectively as getting rid of and modifying the Automobile Identification Quantities (VINs) connected to just about every car to bypass law enforcement detection of stolen vehicles. These arrests are next sweeping arrests before this yr as tied to relevant prison rings in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“The defendants applied their positions and understanding of PennDOT requirements to defraud point out and federal authorities and place unsuspecting drivers at threat,” mentioned Legal professional Basic Shapiro. “Vehicles that have been totaled should not only be repaired but also undertake an improved security inspection to assure they are secure. The defendants instead permitted hundreds of closely-broken autos onto the roadways in Pennsylvania, and close to the place without the need of even searching at them. They gamed the procedure and place people at threat to rack up hundreds of thousands of pounds in unlawful earnings. This was widespread felony conduct and currently we introduced a halt to it.”

As part of this plan, the increased vehicle safety inspectors listed did not entire the required inspections that were being needed in get to make a totaled vehicle road worthy yet again and in its place only completed the paperwork expected. A lot of cars that they claimed to have been inspected at their outlets hardly ever basically entered Pennsylvania. Under additional investigation, it was discovered that many of the cars experienced been stolen from other states.

“I congratulate Lawyer Basic Shapiro and his staff members on this investigation and the resulting arrests,” stated Lehigh County District Legal professional James Martin. “I commend and thank Main Deputy District Lawyer David Mussel, and all of the Lehigh County Auto Theft Job Drive, for the roles that they performed in this prosperous investigation in Lehigh County.”

The 30 personal defendants had been billed, in different levels, with: Corrupt Companies, Forgery, Washing Automobile Titles, Misleading Enterprise Methods, Tampering with General public Data, Untrue Application for Certification of Title, Altered, Cast, or Counterfeit Paperwork, and Insurance policies Fraud, between other charges. Costs from the 21 enterprises incorporate, in different levels, Washing Automobile Titles, Deceptive Organization Techniques, Tampering with Public Records, Altered, Solid, or Counterfeit Documents, and Untrue Application for Certificate of Title.

The defendants are as follows:

• Roberto Gomez-Gomez
• Nora D. Rodriguez
• Jimmy Rodriguez-Cosme
• Jessica L. Engelke
• Ahmed Lopez-Roman
• Aristeds Aquino
• Jean C. Aquino-Belen
• Rafael Santiago-Pacheco
• Juana Belen-Valdez
• Juana Belen-De Evangelista
• Osiris M. Fernandez-Gonzalez
• Edgar Collado
• Mohammad Alkurdi
• Mohamed Kerdi
• Albert Luciano-Rodriguez
• Edward Saldivar
• Adelaida Mirelis Mendoza
• Eulid Urena-Recio
• Linda M. Sandoval Martinez-Herrera
• Margarete Rose Almashaqbeh
• Charlie Jiminan
• Beaki Antonia Perez
• Somary Ibeth Otanez-DeLoor
• Indalecia Vazquez
• Maria Pineda
• Jefferson Loor-Valet
• Angel Mendez
• David Morrison
• Oleg Zelenko
• Igor A. Dratch

The 21 enterprises charged are as follows:

• Mendoza Vehicle Sale, Inc.
• G & G Vehicle Entire body and Vehicle Salvage
• Carla Matia, LLC
• Abby Auto
• Saldivar Group, Inc.
• JM Vehicle Income, Inc.
• Jessica Car and Multiservices
• Wilfredo Automobile Fix
• Emma Automobile Tags and Multiservices, Inc.
• Docuservices
• A2Z Auto Income
• Charo Auto Revenue
• AMCO Motor Profits
• MP Notary and Tags, Inc.
• J & J Car and Truck Gross sales, LLC
• PA Tag and Title
• Great Touch Car Maintenance & Product sales
• Santos Auto Gallery
• Grig LLC
• Newroad Motors LLC
• Amatti Vehicle Profits LLC

“The arrests effectuated now emphasize our motivation to examine any type of fraud associated with motor motor vehicles, titling, and affiliated documents,” stated Pennsylvania Condition Police Captain James Cuttitta, Exclusive Investigations Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “These crimes victimize unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens of Pennsylvania and further than when they acquire these autos, only to master later on the automobiles have significant problems. The Pennsylvania Point out Police will keep on to function with all District Attorney’s Workplaces, the Pennsylvania Lawyer General’s Place of work, the National Coverage Crime Bureau, and other companions to carry out extra investigations and keep people dependable accountable.”

This case is remaining prosecuted by Chief Deputy Legal professional Common Robert LaBar, Deputy Lawyer Normal Richard Bradbury, and Lehigh County’s Chief Deputy District Legal professional David Mussel. All expenses reviewed are accusations. The defendants are presumed harmless right until proven guilty.

Customers who think that they may well have been a target of the methods of any of the previously mentioned dealerships, car inspectors, or tag agents, or have info about this or other kinds of automobile or title fraud ought to access out to the Business of Lawyer Basic by emailing the Insurance policy Fraud Part at [email protected].

# # #