Former Used-Car Salesman Accused Of Stealing From Employer

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A former used-car salesman has been accused of stealing about $24,000 from his employer. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said that Richard Grassi, 51, South Street, in Danbury, CT was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court and pleaded not guilty to one count of third-degree grand larceny in the Third Degree, a felony. Grassi is a former employee of Mike Ceretta Auto Sales Inc. in New Rochelle.

Scarpino said that, while Grassi was employed there, one of his jobs was to purchase cars from other car dealerships in order to then sell them at a profit from Ceretta. The defendant would then receive a commission from these sales. [Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts here.]

Between Nov. 1, 2013, and April 1, 2015, Grassi allegedly stole funds from Ceretta by submitting false invoices for car purchases in order to increase his commission from the sales of those vehicles. Specifically, he would allegedly create false invoices that listed the vehicles purchased from other dealerships for less than they actually were so that the defendant’s commission would be higher when the vehicles were sold.

As a result of this false invoice scheme, the defendant stole approximately $24,000.

The investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office with the full cooperation and assistance of the New Rochelle Police Department.

After the arraignment, Grassi was released on his own recognizance. He faces a maximum of seven years in state prison.

His next court date is Sept. 11, 2017.

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