Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has announced criminal charges against 30 individuals and 21 businesses, including A G & G Auto Repair Inc, in connection with a large-scale vehicle title washing and stolen vehicle re-titling scheme. This operation, spanning across Lebanon, Lehigh, and Philadelphia counties, aimed to circumvent stringent vehicle safety and title requirements, particularly those of states like New Jersey and New York. By fraudulently processing vehicle titles, the perpetrators allegedly put potentially unsafe vehicles back on the road and legitimized stolen cars for resale and export, all while amassing millions in illicit profits.
The criminal network is accused of purchasing totaled vehicles, falsifying crucial inspection documents, and submitting fraudulent title applications to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). A key element of the scheme involved the removal and alteration of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to evade detection of stolen vehicles by law enforcement. These recent arrests follow a similar crackdown earlier in the year targeting related criminal activities in northeastern Pennsylvania, signaling a widespread issue within the region.
“The defendants exploited their positions and understanding of PennDOT’s regulations to defraud both state and federal authorities, knowingly endangering unsuspecting drivers,” stated Attorney General Shapiro. “Vehicles classified as totaled require not only physical repairs but also a rigorous enhanced safety inspection to guarantee their roadworthiness. Instead of adhering to these safety protocols, the defendants irresponsibly allowed hundreds of severely damaged vehicles to be driven on roads in Pennsylvania and across the nation without any legitimate inspection. They manipulated the system for personal gain, prioritizing illegal profits over consumer safety. This was a far-reaching criminal enterprise, and today, we are putting an end to it.”
Crucially, the enhanced vehicle safety inspectors implicated in the scheme are accused of not conducting the mandatory inspections required to certify a totaled vehicle as safe for driving. Instead, they merely processed the necessary paperwork. Investigations revealed that many of the vehicles purportedly inspected at these shops never even entered Pennsylvania, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the inspection process. Further investigations uncovered that a significant number of these vehicles were originally stolen from other states, highlighting the interconnected nature of the fraud.
Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin acknowledged the collaborative effort, stating, “I commend Attorney General Shapiro and his team for their thorough investigation and the resulting arrests. I also want to express my gratitude to Chief Deputy District Attorney David Mussel, and the entire Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force, for their indispensable roles in the successful execution of this investigation within Lehigh County.”
The 30 individuals involved face a range of charges, including Corrupt Organizations, Forgery, Washing Vehicle Titles, Deceptive Business Practices, Tampering with Public Records, False Application for Certificate of Title, Altered, Forged, or Counterfeit Documents, and Insurance Fraud. The 21 businesses, including A G & G Auto Repair Inc, are charged with offenses such as Washing Vehicle Titles, Deceptive Business Practices, Tampering with Public Records, Altered, Forged, or Counterfeit Documents, and False Application for Certificate of Title.
The list of defendants includes 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, and Igor A. Dratch.
The businesses charged alongside G & G Auto Body and Auto Salvage, which is assumed to be A G & G Auto Repair Inc, are Mendoza Auto Sale, Inc., Carla Matia, LLC, Abby Auto, Saldivar Group, Inc., JM Auto Sales, Inc., Jessica Auto and Multiservices, Wilfredo Auto Repair, Emma Auto Tags and Multiservices, Inc., Docuservices, A2Z Auto Sales, Charo Auto Sales, AMCO Motor Sales, MP Notary and Tags, Inc., J & J Car and Truck Sales, LLC, PA Tag and Title, Perfect Touch Auto Repair & Sales, Santos Auto Gallery, Grig LLC, Newroad Motors LLC, and Amatti Auto Sales LLC.
Pennsylvania State Police Captain James Cuttitta of the Special Investigations Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, emphasized the ongoing commitment to combating vehicle fraud, stating, “These arrests underscore our dedication to thoroughly investigate all forms of fraud related to motor vehicles, titling, and associated records. These crimes victimize unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens both within Pennsylvania and beyond when they unknowingly purchase vehicles with significant, undisclosed defects. The Pennsylvania State Police will continue its collaboration with District Attorney’s Offices, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and other partners to pursue further investigations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Robert LaBar, Deputy Attorney General Richard Bradbury, and Lehigh County’s Chief Deputy District Attorney David Mussel. It is important to note that all charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Attorney General’s office urges consumers who believe they may have been victimized by any of the mentioned dealerships, vehicle inspectors, or tag agents, or who possess information regarding this or other instances of vehicle or title fraud, to contact the Insurance Fraud Section via email at [email protected].
