FRESNO – On July 23, 2018 Scott Radtke, 56, of Clovis, was arraigned on a nine-count indictment charging him with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection suspected fraudulent activity at his Clovis car dealership California Motoring Company.

According to court documents, Radtke owned California Motoring Company. Beginning as early as January 1, 2016, and continuing through June 2017, Radtke allegedly executed a scheme to defraud banks. When customers wanted to buy vehicles that Radtke’s dealership did not have in its inventory, Radtke reportedly offered customers the opportunity to buy them from other dealerships. Radtke received up-front payments from the customers or their banks, but did not give that money to the other dealerships. Instead, he allegedly spent it on business and personal expenses. Radtke is alleged to have then signed the customers’ names on sale documents and loan applications, which led banks to issue loans without the customers’ knowledge or authorization. Radtke’s actions involved at least 48 vehicles and more than $2 million in fraudulently obtained goods and funds.

“It is imperative that we have investigators who work to protect unsuspecting consumers from unscrupulous business owners who can wreak havoc in our financial lives by stealing our identity,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “DMV investigators are sworn peace officers who work to protect us from this type of fraudulent activity.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Clovis Police Department.

If convicted, Radtke faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.