NORFOLK
They squeezed into Courtroom 3 on Tuesday morning, more than three dozen victims of Charles E. Perry Jr.’s multitude of auto-repair and identity-theft scams.
Perry, a 46-year-old father of four from Suffolk, pleaded for leniency in a tearful speech to U.S. District Judge Henry C. Morgan Jr. But in a strong rebuke, Morgan sentenced Perry to 10 years in prison – above the recommended federal guidelines.
The former owner of three All Tune and Lube shops was sentenced after pleading guilty to defrauding more than 60 customers, creditors and parts suppliers out of more than $600,000.
“The fraudulent schemes here are really over the top,” Morgan said.
Perry owned shops on East Little Creek Road in Norfolk, Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach and West Mercury Boulevard in Hampton. Other All Tune and Lube shops are independently operated.
Perry routinely charged customers for repairs that were never performed or were improperly done. His supposed specialties were transmission and engine replacement, but Perry used junkyard engines and parts that were worse than what the customers brought in, according to court records and testimony.
Customers Vince Miller and Margaret Nettles testified Tuesday that their vehicles were in Perry’s care for months only to be returned in worse shape. Miller would later find out that Perry used his identity to open charge accounts.
“I pretty much didn’t get a lot of anything from him,” said Nettles, who spent $2,500 on transmission work before having to get a new transmission from another shop.
Whenever customers complained, Perry said, “Go ahead, sue me,” according to witnesses. Many did. Perry has about $80,000 in judgments against him in local courts.
The FBI learned that Perry stole credit card and bank data from dozens of customers and racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent debt and cash advances. He also had not paid parts suppliers.
He used the money to buy a Mercedes sports car and expensive motorcycles. In court Tuesday, he blamed his problems on a failing marriage, a crumbling business and heavy drinking.
“I want to first say that I’m very ashamed at my behavior,” he told the judge.
“To the people here, I apologize,” he continued. “There are no words strong enough to express how I really feel.”
His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Keith Kimball, argued that Perry should get seven or eight years in prison. Perry’s past convictions for dealing cocaine, passing bad checks, committing fraud and threatening bodily harm yielded only a year in jail total.
But Morgan didn’t want to hear it.
“The problem I have,” the judge said, cutting off Kimball, “is accepting the spin he’s put on all these convictions. I’m not persuaded by that.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Krask argued for a stiff sentence, given Perry’s background and the extent of his scams.
“He’s a predator, and he’s somebody who’s incredibly callous to anyone who walked through his doors seeking business,” Krask said.
Perry said he would make good on the restitution, but he has few assets. He has agreed to forfeit his vehicles and equity in his home to begin repaying the $609,000 to 32 customers and 30 credit companies and parts suppliers.
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com
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re: Yall can shut up
saratay wrote:
yes what he did is wrong and he knows that.
He does now, after the trial. Prior to......
he just made some very bad choices.
And now he'll pay for them.
Personally, I think he got off lightly...
give me a break
"He is a very wonderful person he just made some very bad choices".
Oh give me a break saratay! I worked for this man (aka Dave) at both his Hampton and Norfolk stores back in the 1990's so don't think this is new to him~I could make your head spin telling of his dealings that I saw just in the short time I worked for him. His favorite prey were our men and women of the military cause he knew he could threaten to go to command if they didn't pay him. Talking about car parts, take the old one in the back room and paint it was his favorite orders to the so called mechanics he had (Not all were like this, He did have One good manager in Hampton back then) And heck even then he was driving around in a gold 300z. And don't feel but so sorry for the wife they lived in a real nice house in Denbigh area of Newport News and she had a nice car, clothes enough to cloth all the homeless in N.N and jewlery to make a queen quiver.And I don'
Yall can shut up
yes what he did is wrong and he knows that. i know this man and yes he amde a bunch a huge mistakes but everyone has and yes i know for a fact that his drinking and marriage toke a huge toll on him. i know he hurt a lot of people and im sorry and so is he but he is a very wonderful person he just made some very bad choices.
Background Checks For All Virginia Business Licensee's
Time and again people who have these similar rap sheets for dope, fraud, and violence have by default later positioned themsleves into high profit self-employment like auto repair, used car lots, contracting, etc., with a businees license, to scam. They make legitimate business conditions very difficult for others. Where did this man get the seed money, demonstrated income, and loan approvals for the franchise, construction, and inventory for three new and very wide-spread locations? Money is not easily saved with a rap sheet, a wife, and four kids. From the story here, yet another example of a father and husband that spent the family money on himself; trophy house, expensive car, motorcycles. Any family is robbed when spending thousands on toys for himself and expects the rest of his family to settle for the occassional ice cream cone on the town. Keith is a fine attorney, the convic
Yeah.....well whooda thunk it?
you never know....
Submitted by jreid8231 on Tue, 07/01/2008 at 1:52 pm.
I've known Chuck for many years now on a friendly and professional level. I would have never thought in a million years that he was capable of such a crime. As a friend I am seriously let down
I mean....aside from his past cocaine dealing conviction he didn't like such a bad guy eh jreid? Nice buddies ya got there. This jerks shop screwed up my brakes....hate it for him.
While they are at it,...
They might want to check out some of the AT & L's this guy didn't own, as well. I will NEVER take any of my vehicles to one of these places again!! Thank the Lord I have since found a mechanic I can trust.......
HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED
Good for this Judge NOT to listen to this guy's BS story; Enjoy your jail time and think about the people's lives you screwed up.
More common then most think.........
Stuff like this,and much more happen far more then people think,and its thier fault,in the 25 years I have been in the auto truck repear trade, I have yet to see any real form of regulation in effect,when someone drives into a repair shop area,they need to look around,being in the business,I look around,I know what to look for,I know what to ask,its amazing how trusting the owner of a big expensive motor home can be,and car owners too,they are easy prey for scam shop owners,and if they have "parts changers",which are mechanics that change parts until they come to the defective part,and leave on the vehicle what they really didnt need to change,and still charge the customer,THIS is too common in the trade.Its a shame,but its there,Im NOT saying every shop is that way,but I have seen over the years far tooo many,part of the problem is that shop owners dont want to pay a well trained,well paid tech,who is much more likely to find the problem faster,they would rather pay a lower level person,and just let him "play"with it,and hope he finds the problem,its not thier money going to the parts,its the customer,and dont forget the 64% markup on parts,let the consumer beware.
Let's focus
This man didn't arrive in court for shoddy car repairs. He stole people's identities and opened credit cards and took out loans in their names.
Too bad only jail time
Too bad these type of scammers usually have a negative net worth so the courts can't liquidate their assets and try to get some of the money back to the victims. If you get scammed, chances are you'll never see a dime back, so always do background checks before doing business with anyone.
unfortunately...
...All Tune and Lube is a franchise. Innocent franchise owners will suffer because people will equate the business name with dishonesty. Too bad.
jmo
Auto Repair Shop
I took my car to the Little Creek location to have new brakes installed. After driving a day later, my brakes were not working the way they should. I took my car to the dealer where I purchased the car. The new brakes were put on backwards!! I disputed the credit card charge from this rip off artist and had the charge credited.
Why??
"Why do people NOT post and report these things?"
It's human nature to whine and complaine to everyone under the sun then to the people they should have.
I was one of the victims who
I was one of the victims who had the truck in the shop close to 6 weeks having a "new" engine put in only to find out that it stopped working the 2nd day I left the shop with it. Took it back 3 times and lost almost 6 months of time trying to get it fixed to no avail.
I posted my experiences in ripped off web site hoping to help others avoid this shop but it seems many did not check with the BBB. I also reported to them this mess and he actually had no marks against him. Why do people NOT post and report these things? I know it would have saved ME a lot of grief.
I found out I was the first to report this to the BBB....go figure!
I did not get any compensation from him either..truck is gone and we moved on..This man deserved every minute of his sentence for such a crime..a crime against the publics "trust" which should be held to a higher standard than usual. I was lucky he did not scam my credit cards or any other personal accounts..he must not have been real savvy just yet, thank goodness!!!
Three things you need in any community
A good trustworthy doctor, a trustworthy dentist and a trustworthy mechanic. Thank goodness the judge saw fit to eliminate an untrustworthy mechanic from our midst. Now if only the others will take heed to this sentence, we'll all be in better shape.
Judge sent the right message
The Judge did us all a favor, and I hope every auto shop worker and owner out there reads this story. If you know an auto worker or owner, please tell them of this case.
Auto Repair Fraud
Tho unlikely altho possible...with the decline of automobile sales, being what they are, a dealer(s) may resort to "repair fraud" to help his bottom line.Just a word to the wise.
But as to this story, the guy got ten years.Fraud by big companies & their CEO's don't get skunk.I had much rather be ripped off by car repairs
fraud than stealing my pension plan funds!!
Now you know why Lady Justice is blind....to hid her tears!!
All Tune & Lube near College Park
I went to this one AT&L for an oil change. After that every single month there'd be another problem -- sometimes it'd be less than 2 weeks later. One year and nearly $3000 later I took my car in for an oil leak. A seal was replaced. My car went in the garage with a leak and came out with a rod knock. I was told I needed a new or rebuilt engine. That was it. I immediately bought another car and GAVE this money pit to a neighbor who did auto work on the side. When he took out the oil filter he found it FULL of oil blot - you know -- that kitty litter stuff that soaks up oil on garage floors? The only way it got into my car was by being PUT there.
you never know....
I've known Chuck for many years now on a friendly and professional level. I would have never thought in a million years that he was capable of such a crime. As a friend I am seriously let down by Chuck's decisions, but I cannot even imagine what feelings his family has for him right now. My thoughts go out to his lovely wife and kids. I hope you guys can find a way to forgive and forget. I know I'll try. But when I think of the number of friends and associates that he put in harms way to only better himself (and his family), forgiveness will be a hard pill to swallow. This thing called trust.....is a very negotiable word.
Thank you Judge!
Let this be the beginning of the end for many of these hustlers and thieves that constantly milk thousands from unsuspecting customers. I had a pest control company in Newport News tell me my house was ate up with termites. I called in a company from Norfolk who found none. This type of stealing needs to be addressed like the Judge did here. I like making them repay restitution, that is only fair. Most businesses are honest and hard working, these bad apples make it hard for everyone. Good-by Mr. Perry!