Scott Radtke of Clovis was convicted of taking money from customers, not turning over to other dealerships involved
FRESNO – A former Fresno-area auto dealer will serve prison time for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft involving his Clovis dealership between 2016 and 2017
Clovis resident Scott Radtke, 60, was ordered by a federal judge to serve four-and-a half years in prison beginning in March. The sentence was issued on Jan. 13 in the Eastern District of California Court in Fresno.
Radtke, who owned California Motoring Company in Clovis, was convicted of executing a scheme to defraud banks on vehicle purchases dating back to Jan. 1, 2016, and continuing through June 2017.
According to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, court documents stated that Radtke offered customers the opportunity to buy vehicles from other dealerships when California Motoring Company didn’t have the vehicle in its inventory. He then received up-front payments from customers or their bank, but did not turn money paid him over to the other dealerships.
Instead, Radtke spent the money on business and personal expenses, according to court documents. He then signed customers’ names on sale documents and loan applications, which led the banks to issue loans without the customers’ knowledge or authorization. Radtke’s actions involved at least 48 vehicles and over $2 million in fraudulently obtained goods and funds.
This case against Radtke was the result of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael G. Tierney and Alexandre M. Dempsey prosecuted the case.
Radtke has until Friday, March 10, to begin serving his sentence.