Auction Of Seized Luxury Cars By U.S. Marshals Nets $8.2 Million

This U.S. Marshals auction of seized luxury cars netted $8.2 million-dollars. The large  collection of 148 classic, performance and luxury vehicles were seized during the investigation of a $1 billion Benicia solar energy scam that defrauded investors.

A Marshals’ Service spokesperson said a 2018 Prevost Motor coach brought in the highest bid at more than $1 million with a 2015 Honda dirt bike garnering the lowest bid at $400. A 1978 Firebird Trans Am previously owned by Burt Reynolds and the replica of the car “Smokey and the Bandit” sold for $181,000. Full auction list of vehicles are here.

From cbs-kpix bay area: Two employees of a Benicia solar energy company pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in what federal prosecutors say was a massive scheme that defrauded investors of $1 billion.

It’s the largest single-owner car collection of seized luxury cars ever auctioned by the U.S. Marshals Service. Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Lasha Boyden of the Sacramento office called it “a stunning collection of vehicles” that also includes classic 1960s Ford Mustangs, 1990s Humvees and a 1960 Austin-Healey.

Pleading guilty Tuesday were certified public accountant Ronald Roach, 53, and general contractor Joseph Bayliss, 44, both of the San Fran Sisco Bay Area.

Roach’s attorney, Christian Picone, declined comment. Bayliss’ attorney, Tom Johnson, did not return a telephone message seeking comment. Both men agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation. The two men admitted providing false reports that misled investors of DC Solar, owned by Jeffrey and Paulette Carpoff of Martinez.

It was the largest single-owner car collection ever auctioned by the Marshals Service. Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Lasha Boyden of the Sacramento office called it “a stunning collection of vehicles” that also includes classic 1960s Ford Mustangs, 1990s Humvees, a Plymouth Superbird, and a classic 1960 Austin-Healey roadster.