Ottawa (August 5, 2020) – Lanark County OPP laid 57 fraud related charges against the former business manager and used car salesman, David Lamothe. Four years ago, the police received multiple complaints against a used car store close to Ottawa related to alleged used vehicle sales fraud. The victims triggered a lengthy investigation into the allegations of fraudulent vehicle sales as well as fraudulent warranties and financing. Lamothe is facing 31 counts of fraud over $5,000, three counts of fraud under $5,000, and 23 counts of knowing a document is forged.
After a four-year investigation, Lanark County OPP laid a total of 57 fraud related charges against David Lamothe, the former business manager and used car salesman at The 4X4 Store in Carleton Place, according to a press release by the provincial police. The charges are connected to used vehicle sales fraud as well as fraudulent sales of warranties and financing allegations.
The used vehicle sales fraud
In July 2016, the Lanark County OPP detachment received multiple reports about alleged fraudulent business practices at South Keys Auto Sales. Subsequently, they launched an investigation into the allegations of used vehicle sales fraud at the local business.
Lamothe is the former business manager of the investigated used car store in Carleton Place, near Ottawa, which was known as The 4X4 Store. Around the time the investigation started, The 4X4 Store closed down, police said.
Customers of the used car store reported that they allegedly did not receive the vehicles they had purchased and that the warranties for their vehicles had not been activated.
57 fraud related charges
The OPP charged Lamothe with 31 counts of fraud over $5,000, three counts of fraud under $5,000, and 23 counts of knowing a document is forged. The 53-year-old Drummond/North Elmsley man is scheduled to appear in court in Perth on September 28.
OPP said that they will not comment further on this case in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and the court process and reminded the public that these charges have not yet been proven in court.
The police asked anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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