A couple from Florida is confronting numerous criminal charges related to an alleged scheme involving fraudulent vehicle titles at their luxury car dealership.
Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, and Emily Marie Lucci, 30, face allegations including nine counts each of making false statements in applications for bills of sale, possessing counterfeit vehicle titles or registrations, committing perjury through false written declarations, and uttering forged instruments. Additionally, they are charged with racketeering and organized fraud, as detailed in jail records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
The arrests followed an investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) into their dealership, Luxury Auto Source, located in Davie. This inquiry began on January 21, as reported by NBC 6.
FHP’s interest in the couple’s business was piqued by allegations that they had provided fraudulent parts invoices to the department for a 2020 Nissan GT-R.
According to Fox News Digital, Emily Marie Lucci, 30, is specifically charged with multiple counts related to false statements and counterfeit documentation, as noted in records from the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.
Documents filed by Emily Lucci at a Miami-Dade tag agency purportedly sought a certificate of title for the business, accompanied by a parts invoice alleging over $18,000 in repairs to significant vehicle components.
However, authorities allege the invoice was fake, with the real invoice totaling around $1,200, the outlet reported. Additionally, the vehicle had reportedly been listed for sale for $94,500 – a nearly $40,000 increase from its 2022 sale for $55,000.Â
Following the alleged fraudulent invoice, FHP investigators began looking into additional vehicles listed for sale by the couple’s business.
Michael Anthony Lucci, 32, is charged with nine counts of making a false statement in an application for a bill of sale, nine counts of possessing counterfeit vehicle title or registration, nine counts of perjury by false written declaration, nine counts of uttering forged instruments, one count of racketeering and one count of organized fraud, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital. (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department)
Authorities ultimately found eight other luxury vehicles that had rebuilt Florida titles and fraudulent invoices, according to the outlet.Â
The list of vehicles reportedly included a 2017 Bentley with a price of $63,900, a 2018 BMW M3 for sale for $37,900, a 2022 Porsche 911 with a price of $187,900, a 2020 Toyota Supra with a price of $36,900, a 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat for $52,900, and a 2023 Cadillac Escalade.Â
The Dodge Charger allegedly possessed multiple VINs and the motor was traced back to a vehicle stolen out of North Carolina, the outlet reported.
The married couple allegedly falsified vehicle titles from their self-owned car dealership, Luxury Auto Source, in Davie, Florida. (iStock)
“At the conclusion of my review, I identified nine vehicles currently offered for sale by Luxury Auto Source LLC that were titled through the submission of fraudulent or manipulated parts invoices to DHSMV,” an investigator reportedly wrote in the arrest reports.Â
“These vehicles constitute contraband, as their titles were obtained through fraudulent means. These vehicles, and potentially additional vehicles sold through this dealership, present a significant risk to innocent purchasers, who may unknowingly buy vehicles subject to seizure and forfeiture, resulting in both the loss of the vehicle and associated funds due to their status as contraband.”
Michael Lucci was reportedly taken into custody as FHP officers executed a search warrant at the business, with Emily Lucci later turning herself in to authorities.Â
The pair were released after both were granted $30,000 bonds, according to jail records obtained by Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate an attorney representing both Emily and Michael Lucci. FHP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.Â
