Streetbeasts fraud controversy
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[[Image:Streetbeasts_fraud_plea.jpg|right|thumb|400px|[[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Court documents]] show a guilty plea for wire fraud in a 1999 sentencing against Classic Motor Carriages, now operating as "StreetBeasts".]] | [[Image:Streetbeasts_fraud_plea.jpg|right|thumb|400px|[[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Court documents]] show a guilty plea for wire fraud in a 1999 sentencing against Classic Motor Carriages, now operating as "StreetBeasts".]] | ||
| − | StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of defrauding its customers. In June of 1999, Streetbeasts's previous incarnation ("Classic Motor Carriages") | + | StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of defrauding its customers. In June of 1999, Streetbeasts's previous incarnation ("Classic Motor Carriages") pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution. |
| − | Besides "Classic Motor Carriages", StreetBeasts has previously operated under the names "Auto Resolutions", "Classic Auto Replicas", "Fiberfab", and "Innovative Street Machines". | + | Besides "Classic Motor Carriages", StreetBeasts (or companies operated by Streetbeasts's ownership) has previously operated under the names "Auto Resolutions", "Classic Auto Replicas", "Fiberfab", and "Innovative Street Machines". |
| − | Recently, representatives from StreetBeasts have been making the rounds of automotive forums, | + | Recently, representatives from StreetBeasts have been making the rounds of automotive forums, spinning their history of fraud, and threatening those who inform the public of their deception with frivolous legal action and financial ruin. |
==Wire fraud case against Classic Motor Carriages, AKA "StreetBeasts"== | ==Wire fraud case against Classic Motor Carriages, AKA "StreetBeasts"== | ||
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The case stated that, over a period of eleven years, Classic Motor Carriages defrauded people by "knowingly and willfully" making "false and misleading statements, representations, and promises" in regard to the "quality of the kit car purchased, the delivery time to the customer and the required assembly time." In addition, "false and fraudulent representations" were made to obtain deposits from prospective customers. Finally, the case stated that Classic Motor Carriages induced its customers to pay for kit cars, and then "failed to provide the automotive parts necessary for complete assembly." | The case stated that, over a period of eleven years, Classic Motor Carriages defrauded people by "knowingly and willfully" making "false and misleading statements, representations, and promises" in regard to the "quality of the kit car purchased, the delivery time to the customer and the required assembly time." In addition, "false and fraudulent representations" were made to obtain deposits from prospective customers. Finally, the case stated that Classic Motor Carriages induced its customers to pay for kit cars, and then "failed to provide the automotive parts necessary for complete assembly." | ||
| − | Classic Motor Carriages eventually pleaded guilty | + | Classic Motor Carriages eventually pleaded guilty to the charges in summer of 1999, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution. Shortly thereafter, sales plummeted, and Classic Motor Carriages was evicted from its headquarters. Around the same time, the owner of Classic Motor Carriages, George G. Levin, re-opened the kit car business under a new name: "Auto Resolutions" (later changed to "StreetBeasts"). |
==StreetBeasts attempts to silence criticism== | ==StreetBeasts attempts to silence criticism== | ||
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===Alteration and deletion of this wiki article=== | ===Alteration and deletion of this wiki article=== | ||
| − | After being notified of the creation of this wiki article to document StreetBeasts's history | + | After being notified of the creation of this wiki article to document StreetBeasts's history, Streetbeasts representatives edited this article in a blatant attempt to cover-up the exposure of their ethically questionable actions. |
First, StreetBeasts representatives edited the article to include "customer testimonials" of extremely questionable authenticity, including [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/index.php?title=Streetbeasts_fraud_controversy&diff=8106&oldid=8099 one edit] that hilariously included the following text: | First, StreetBeasts representatives edited the article to include "customer testimonials" of extremely questionable authenticity, including [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/index.php?title=Streetbeasts_fraud_controversy&diff=8106&oldid=8099 one edit] that hilariously included the following text: | ||
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