Two extra lawsuits have been filed in opposition to unique automobile dealership Rancho Santa Fe Autos during the last two months for alleged fraud, including to a number of different lawsuits and a DMV investigation.
The dealership, positioned at 16077 San Dieguito Highway in Rancho Santa Fe, and proprietor Adam Holeman allegedly offered automobiles on consignment however by no means gave the cash to the sellers.
A DMV spokesperson mentioned by way of e mail that investigations into Rancho Santa Fe Autos are ongoing and the company “has no extra particulars to share presently.” The dealership’s occupational license was revoked in November 2022, based on the DMV.
In one of many new lawsuits, filed Sept. 28, San Diego resident Michael Herman alleges that Rancho Santa Fe Autos proprietor Adam Holeman owes him $467,000 from the sale of three automobiles.
Herman bought the three automobiles between January and March 2023 in a deal brokered by Holeman, based on a criticism filed in San Diego County Superior Court docket: a 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo convertible for $150,000, a 2022 Porsche Targa for $168,000 and a 2017 Ferrari 488 for $149,000. Herman then tried to revenue off these automobiles by placing them on the market on consignment at Rancho Santa Fe Autos.
However two of the automobiles went lacking from the Rancho Santa Fe Autos lot within the months that adopted, Herman alleged. A salesman allegedly advised him that the earlier house owners reclaimed them. Then the earlier proprietor of the third car advised Herman that he by no means agreed to promote it, and if he didn’t get it again he would name the police, the criticism alleges.
Herman began to really feel as if Rancho Santa Fe Autos “had by no means offered the unique house owners with any cash for the acquisition and sale of the topic automobiles,” based on the criticism.
Earlier than these points arose, Herman had additionally bought a 2022 Tesla Mannequin X from Rancho Santa Fe Autos, the criticism alleges. After paying in full, together with greater than $8,300 for the gross sales tax, Holeman mentioned he wanted one other $8,300 to cowl the gross sales tax and full the sale.
When Herman requested what occurred to the primary $8,300, “Holeman acknowledged that he had a short lived money circulation concern,” based on the criticism.
Herman paid Holeman once more to cowl the gross sales tax with the understanding that he’d be reimbursed, however allegedly by no means was.
One other San Diego resident, Richard Illes, filed a lawsuit in opposition to Rancho Santa Fe Autos on Oct. 3. He alleges that his 2018 Porsche 911 Cabriolet offered on consignment for $82,000 on the dealership in June, however he by no means obtained any cash.
By that time, the dealership’s workplace was vacant, with no automobiles on the market on the premises. The stock web page on its web site has additionally been clean for a number of months.
“Rancho Santa Fe Autos is conscious of the truth that there are claims which have been asserted in opposition to it in lawsuits filed in San Diego Superior Court docket,” Erin L. Crane, an legal professional representing Holeman and the dealership, mentioned in an e mail. “Rancho Santa Fe Autos has retained counsel and intends to place forth a protection in these proceedings. Nonetheless, as a result of these lawsuits are at the moment ongoing, Rancho Santa Fe Autos can not present additional remark presently.
5 lawsuits whole have been filed in opposition to Rancho Santa Fe Autos this yr.
In one of many first three circumstances, plaintiff Anthony Cannariato alleged that he by no means obtained a penny after promoting his 2021 Chevrolet Corvette on consignment at Rancho Santa Fe Autos for about $90,000. Cannariato and his legal professional Chuck Walker mentioned they intend to have the case dismissed with out prejudice as a result of Cannariato was capable of recoup the cash by insurance coverage.
“The police ought to arrest the man forthwith and the DA ought to prosecute him to guard the folks of California,” Walker mentioned. “He’s ripping folks off.”
One other case involving a Fontana resident was dismissed with out prejudice in August. The plaintiff alleged that he purchased a $93,000 Maserati at Rancho Santa Fe Autos, however the dealership by no means offered the title or registered the car within the plaintiff’s identify. An legal professional representing the plaintiff didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The opposite case was filed by a Pacific Seaside resident who allegedly offered his Aston Martin on consignment with Rancho Santa Fe Autos, however by no means obtained the $70,000 he was owed. A case administration convention is scheduled for December.
All the lawsuits are civil circumstances. There are not any earlier prison circumstances involving Holeman or Rancho Santa Fe Autos in San Diego County Superior Court docket, data present.
San Diego District Legal professional spokesperson Tanya Sierra mentioned she wouldn’t be capable to affirm whether or not Rancho Santa Fe Autos is beneath investigation for potential prison expenses.
