SACRAMENTO – On October 2, 2017, California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigators arrested Scott Allyn Radtke, 55, of Clovis, on charges relating to the fraudulent sale of 48 newer-model vehicles that cheated 64 victims out of an estimated $2,304,765.
The arrest is the result of a five-month investigation into Radtke’s California Motoring Company auto broker business in Clovis. Investigators say Radtke’s alleged victims included consumers, auto dealerships, and lending institutions.
Radtke was booked in the Fresno County Jail on 98 criminal counts, including forgery, grand theft of personal property, identity theft, theft by false pretenses, theft from elderly or dependent adults, and passing checks with insufficient funds.
“The DMV will not tolerate unscrupulous brokers taking advantage of customers and dealerships,” DMV Investigations Chief Frank Alvarez said. “We have peace officers who diligently investigate this kind of fraudulent activity.”
The DMV opened its investigation after receiving information that a new car dealership in Southern California could not cash a check from Radtke’s business because of insufficient funds. The dealership also reported CMC had failed to pay for a vehicle fraudulently brokered by Radtke. The DMV, along with the Clovis and Tulare police departments, received numerous additional complaints against CMC during the ensuing months, including allegations of grand theft and identity theft. DMV investigators seized evidence of theft and fraud during a warranted search of the business in August.
“The work California DMV investigators conduct often goes unnoticed in this state,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “These DMV sworn peace officers work daily to protect consumers by uncovering fraud and identity theft as it relates to the sale of vehicles and driver licenses and IDs. They investigate the misuse of Disabled Person Parking Placards, and violations involving traffic violator schools and driver’s training. They certainly have their work cut out for them."
