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Car dealer indicted
By Troy Brakefield, staff writer
In a press release Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper announced the indictment of Plano businessman Massoud Mortazavi-Koupai by a federal grand jury.
The grand jury charged Mortazavi-Koupai, 46, with six counts of mail fraud and three counts of making a false statement on transfer of a used motor vehicle, related to a fraudulent scheme which included concealing structural damage and odometer discrepancies.
The release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas stated Mortazavi-Koupai aka "Marcus "Mortazavi" and "Marcus Mortazavi-Koupai" was expected to surrender to authorities and then appear before a U.S. magistrate judge.
Federal law also mandates the seller of a motor vehicle must disclose the mileage on the automobile to the purchaser in writing and sign a written disclosure. In addition, the seller must attest the odometer reading accurately reflects the actual mileage or disclose the true mileage if the seller knows the odometer varies from the true mileage.
From at least January 1998 until August 2003, Mortazavi-Koupai defrauded his used car buyers, according to the indictment. The grand jury contended he acquired hundreds of vehicles with the knowledge the vehicles had substantial structural damage and bought vehicles while knowing the odometers showed inaccurate readings. The jury also contended he hid these dealings from his customers and employees, causing his employees to make false statements to car buyers.
If found guilty in federal court, Mortazavi-Koupai could face a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison and a maximum $1.5 million fine. He could also be ordered to pay restitution.
The indictment resulted from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas maintains jurisdiction over 100 counties in the northern and western areas of Texas, including Richardson and Plano. Its headquarters office is located in Dallas.
Contact staff writer Troy Brakefield at 972-398-4484 or tbrakefield@acnpapers.com.
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