Streetbeasts fraud controversy
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[[Image:Streetbeasts_fraud_plea.jpg|right|thumb|400px|[[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Court documents]] show a guilty plea for wire fraud in a 1999 sentencing against Classic Motor Carriages, now operating as "StreetBeasts".]] | [[Image:Streetbeasts_fraud_plea.jpg|right|thumb|400px|[[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Court documents]] show a guilty plea for wire fraud in a 1999 sentencing against Classic Motor Carriages, now operating as "StreetBeasts".]] | ||
| − | StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of defrauding its customers. In June of 1999, | + | StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of defrauding its customers. In June of 1999, Streetbeasts's previous incarnation ("Classic Motor Carriages") plead guilty to wire fraud, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution. |
Besides "Classic Motor Carriages", StreetBeasts has previously operated under the names "Auto Resolutions", "Classic Auto Replicas", "Fiberfab", and "Innovative Street Machines". | Besides "Classic Motor Carriages", StreetBeasts has previously operated under the names "Auto Resolutions", "Classic Auto Replicas", "Fiberfab", and "Innovative Street Machines". | ||
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==Wire fraud case against Classic Motor Carriages, AKA "StreetBeasts"== | ==Wire fraud case against Classic Motor Carriages, AKA "StreetBeasts"== | ||
| − | In 1994, the Florida Attorney General's office filed suit against Classic Motor Carriages, on behalf of hundreds of defrauded customers, in ''USA v. GGL d/b/a Classic Motor Carriages''. ("GGL" | + | In 1994, the Florida Attorney General's office filed suit against Classic Motor Carriages, on behalf of hundreds of defrauded customers, in ''USA v. GGL d/b/a Classic Motor Carriages''. ("GGL" is the initials of George G. Levin, the owner of Classic Motor Carriages). For the relevant court documents, see: [[Media:Streetbeasts_fraud_charges.pdf|Streetbeasts_fraud_charges.pdf]] and [[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf]]. |
The case stated that, over a period of eleven years, Classic Motor Carriages defrauded people by "knowingly and willfully" making "false and misleading statements, representations, and promises" in regard to the "quality of the kit car purchased, the delivery time to the customer and the required assembly time." In addition, "false and fraudulent representations" were made to obtain deposits from prospective customers. Finally, the case stated that Classic Motor Carriages induced its customers to pay for kit cars, and then "failed to provide the automotive parts necessary for complete assembly." | The case stated that, over a period of eleven years, Classic Motor Carriages defrauded people by "knowingly and willfully" making "false and misleading statements, representations, and promises" in regard to the "quality of the kit car purchased, the delivery time to the customer and the required assembly time." In addition, "false and fraudulent representations" were made to obtain deposits from prospective customers. Finally, the case stated that Classic Motor Carriages induced its customers to pay for kit cars, and then "failed to provide the automotive parts necessary for complete assembly." | ||
| − | + | Classic Motor Carriages eventually pleaded guilty in the case in summer of 1999, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution. Shortly thereafter, sales plummeted, and Classic Motor Carriages was evicted from its headquarters. Around the same time, the owner of Classic Motor Carriages, George G. Levin, re-opened the kit car business under a new name: "Auto Resolutions" (later changed to "StreetBeasts"). | |
==StreetBeasts attempts to silence criticism== | ==StreetBeasts attempts to silence criticism== | ||
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