Summary

On March 31, 2016, Gregory Sclafani pleaded guilty to mail fraud related to a consumer fraud scheme in which he admitted to defrauding customers after they scheduled long distance auto shipments with his company, A USA Logistics. Previously, a Federal grand jury in Central Islip, NY, indicted Sclafani and charged him with wire and mail fraud. 

Sclafani, the owner of various auto transport broker companies, admitted that between 2007 and 2014, he solicited customers by advertising long distance auto transport services on the internet. After consumers booked the trips, they provided Sclafani with their banking information, which included their account and routing numbers. With this information, Sclafani created checks using a program on his computer called Check Man which he later deposited into his accounts. Sclafani absconded with their money and often failed to ship their automobiles. Additionally, the investigation determined that Sclafani routinely committed bank fraud by withdrawing money from the customers’ bank accounts without their authorization or knowledge. The investigation identified approximately 100 victims with monetary losses of approximately $600,000.

The interstate transport of vehicles by brokers is regulated by FMCSA, which revoked Sclafani's authority to operate A USA Logistics in January 2012. However, Sclafani continued to operate as though it were a properly registered broker.

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New York State Police.