A former car dealer in Massachusetts has pleaded guilty to scamming 47 people by selling them used cars with fake plates and no titles. Edward Cicciu, the former owner of Bristol County Auto Exchange in Swansea, will face at least four years in prison and five years of probation, and has been ordered to pay $340,380.76 in restitution to his victims. He entered a plea of guilty in court on November 6, and he now faces several years in prison along with more than $340,000 in restitution.
The scheme operated by the former dealer involved purchasing vehicles from auction houses, then turning around and selling them to unsuspecting customers without ever paying the auction houses for the cars. Because the auction houses never received payment, they did not issue the required titles. As a result, each buyer found that the vehicle could not be registered at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, leaving the purchasers stuck with cars they could not legally drive. The 47 victims ranged in age from 18 to 80, illustrating how the scheme affected a broad cross-section of consumers.
Charges and Sentencing
Cicciu entered a guilty plea on 43 counts of Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretenses, 38 counts of Failure to Deliver Title Upon Transfer of a Motor Vehicle, 37 counts of Forging or Misusing an RMV Document, five counts of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and two counts of Larceny by Check Over $1,200.
The restitution order directs the full amount of $340,380.76 to be distributed among the 47 victims. The restitution doesn’t automatically mean that every victim will be made whole. Depending on the situation, some victims might have to go after Cicciu on their own. That said, the conviction could make that considerably easier.
Reaction from Authorities
District Attorney Quinn said the former dealer “conned and ripped off 47 victims,” describing the conduct as “despicable and unconscionable.” He stated that the defendant had no intention of completing the sales, saying he only intended to steal their money. I hope the victims feel there is some accountability, although not enough, for his callous and inhumane behavior.
Chief Foley praised Detective Rowland and Assistant District Attorney Cheney for their diligent investigation and prosecution of the case. He noted that the outcome holds the former dealer accountable for his actions, even though it cannot undo the hardship endured by the affected consumers.
