Nassau Car Dealer Sentenced on Fraud Charges

A Freeport man who worked at luxury car dealerships on Long Island was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison Monday for stealing car payments from customers and dealerships.

Michael McGriff, 43, of Freeport, pleaded guilty on July 7 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter to charges, from two separate indictments, of second degree grand larceny, seven counts of third degree grand larceny, first degree identity theft and first degree scheme to defraud. Carter ordered McGriff to pay $365,546.00 in restitution to his victims.

“Buying a car can be a stressful experience, and this defendant took advantage of his customers’ trust when he stole more than $350,000 from car buyers and dealerships,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a release. “I’m grateful to the NCPD and our prosecutors for bringing this case to ensure that this scam artist is out of business and behind bars.”

At Lexus of Rockville Centre and Port Motors Lincoln Mercury in Roslyn, McGriff concealed his theft of funds from his victims by preparing finance contracts that did not reflect the down payments given. As a result, customers were forced to pay higher-than-expected monthly payments or face repossession of the car because the down payment money given to McGriff was never applied to the loan.

McGriff also collected cash payments in full for used cars from customers. Months later, the customers discovered that McGriff had forged finance contracts generated and filed with multiple banks for auto loans that the customers never authorized. Some customers had their vehicles repossessed when the customers refused to pay for the fraudulently obtained loans. In yet another scheme while working at Port Motors, McGriff collected cash payment from customers, but never produced a car. McGriff also used an alias, Michael Glenn, claimed an affiliation with Titanium Auto Group in Uniondale, and collected $12,900 cash from a victim to purchase a vehicle at auction, but never bought the car.

Customers reported their dealings with McGriff to the dealership which, in turn, reported to police.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney's Office.