CA: New criminal cases filed

[Morgester]

As this forum is aware, a kit car or replica vehicle can only be registered in California as a Specially Constructed Vehicle (SPCN). A kit car or replica vehicle that has been titled as the year that it replicates (i.e. 1965 Ford) is considered to be fraudulently titled and the individual submitting the title documents to DMV has committed fraud and perjury by misrepresenting the year of manufacture.

Today the California Attorney General’s office has filed two criminal complaints. The first complaint alleges that Billy Blair / B2 Design Group sold replica 1932 Ford roadsters and provided fraudulent and untruthful registration documents to the California Department of Motor Vehicles in order to procure ownership titles for vehicles without legitimate documentation and allowing these vehicles to evade the vehicle requirements for smog testing by misrepresenting the year of manufacture. The complaint alleges felony violations of Vehicle Code sections 10752 (sale of counterfeit VIN) and 4463(A) (offering false instruments) and Penal Code section 115 (perjury by declaration).

The second complaint alleges that Armand Caprio / California Cobras with the assistance of Elauna Daire Rhea Boren provided fraudulent and untruthful registration documents to the California Department of Motor Vehicles in order to procure ownership titles for replica cobras without legitimate documentation allowing these vehicles to evade the vehicle requirements for smog testing. Elauna Daire Rhea Boren also embezzled pre-paid registration and vehicle fees by significantly understating the true value of the vehicle. The complaint alleges felony violations of Vehicle Code sections 4463(A) (offering false instruments) and Penal Code sections 118 (perjury by declaration) and 530.5 (identity theft).

DMV is in the process of examining and cancelling fraudulently issued title of vehicles that relate to the above investigations.

Law enforcements goal has always been to shut down the illegal registration services. In addition to providing fraudulent registration for kit car or replica vehicles, these services wash title for lemon, salvaged, and stolen vehicles.

Even given the sometimes volatile nature of this forum, I have always tried to be open and candid regarding our investigations and prosecutions. My recommendation today is the same as it was when I first posted to this forum. You are better off correcting the registration sooner rather then later.