Crime & Safety
Car Salesman Helps Customers Get Cars By Forging Pay Stubs: Prosecutor
Customers could not provide proof of income so car salesman forged pay stubs so they could get approved for car loans, prosecutor said.
ORLAND PARK, IL -- A car salesman is accused of forging pay stubs so that customers would quality to buy cars at an Orland Park car dealership.
Lonnie Wright, 43, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on two felony counts of forgery. According to the charges, Wright was working as a car salesman for Joe Rizza Ford in Orland Park.
The prosecutor said Wright was helping a customer on April 7 apply for a car loan. The customer could not provide pay stub. Wright is alleged to have forged a pay stub and put it in the customer’s packet. The car loan was approved.
The next month, on May 2, a friend referred a customer to Wright at the dealership. The customer could not provide proof of income. Wright allegedly advised the customer to find a co-signer. The prosecutor said that Wright concocted pay stubs for the customer and co-signer.
Wright’s attorney told Judge Felice that Wright was still employed at Joe Rizza.
“That’s remarkable,” the judge said. “He must be a good employee.”
The prosecutor said the vehicles were returned and the customers got their money back. Wright was released on two $25,000 I-bonds. His next court date is July 13.
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