Jan 29, 2017 10:30 PM EST
Resale Scheme: Auto Center In Virginia Plead Guilty In Selling Government Vehicles

On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department has released an announcement of the manager of an auto center in Virginia who pleaded guilty in taking part of selling cars including unused Suburbans and vehicle parts that belong to the U.S. State Department. A long time legal auto seller from the North part of Virginia, James Ratcliffe, is guilty in working over five years with a state department insider in stealing not more than 15 official government vehicles.

The stolen vehicles included a Suburban model favored by the State Secret Service and a low mileage Hummer H2 2004. Specifically, two of the stolen government transportation equipment is unused 2013 model of Suburbans in black and white that has a value of $96,400. According to the charging papers from a prosecutor, Ratcliffe sold everything including truckloads of wheels and tires for a profit.

Ratcliffe's involvement in making money out of these stolen Suburbans, hummer and car parts all started in early 2011 which run over four to five years. The overall value of the numerous properties in the fraudulent scheme is a total of $512,420.

The vehicles were first kept in a residence where the 67-yers-old Ratcliffe and an unnamed schemer who is now the owner of the business. The Springfield shop that does a maintenance work for the department is also where Ratcliffe used to be a manager and owner is also where the vehicles were being sold.

James Ratcliffe from Fairfax Station is guilty of felony conspiracy to defraud the government. It is punishable by a statutory that has a maximum of five years in prison. Though a plea agreement said federal guidelines will fall on a sentence from one year and six months to two years and a fine up to $40,000. As for the plea agreement, it calls for Ratcliffe to pay the sum of $416,020 in restitution and a fair total in the forfeiture money judgment.

 

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

 PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST 

EDITOR'S PICK    

Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030

World's Most Expensive and Most Heavily-optioned Porsche 928 GTS is Coming Home to the U.S.

Major Boost as Tesla Giga Berlin Facility in Final Phase of Approval Process; Delivery Event Set This Month

Audi Looking for e-tron Electric Vehicles to Spur Car Brand's Growth in India in 2022

Toyota Offers Free EV Charging to Owners of 2023 bZ4X After Partnership Agreement with EVgo

2022 Suzuki Baleno Finally Unveiled in India: What are the Specs and Features of this City Car?