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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTop L.A. County sheriff's official claims he thought buying 2012 Audi A4 for 3k was legit
Top L.A. County sheriff's official bought stolen Audi
-ranking Los Angeles County sheriff's official bought a stolen luxury sedan last year from the owner of a towing company that contracts with his agency, a Times investigation has found.
Assistant Sheriff Michael Rothans purchased the 2012 Audi A4 after it had been seized by sheriff's deputies from a suspected gang member at a drunk-driving checkpoint. The vehicle was originally stolen from an Orange County car dealership.
The Sheriff's Department launched an internal investigation last week after questions from The Times.
Rothans, the department's third-ranking official, said he had no idea he was driving a stolen car until more than a year after buying it from Lisa Vernola, a friend who owns Vernola's Towing in Norwalk.
Sheriff's officials are prohibited from purchasing property that has been seized by the department. The prohibition applies both to direct purchases and purchases made through a third party. Employees also are prohibited from personally profiting from their positions.
Rothans said he considered the sale a private transaction between friends and thought it was permitted.
Vernola had registered the car in her name about three weeks before she sold it to Rothans for $3,000, according to Department of Motor Vehicles records. She said she took ownership of the vehicle because no one claimed it from her impound lot or purchased it during a public sale. At the time, the car contained fake identification numbers. Under the law, unclaimed vehicles become the property of the towing yard.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sheriff-stolen-audi-purchase-20151008-story.html
Blue Book value is $17,000.
madaboutharry
(40,148 posts)What else is new.
JonathanRackham
(1,604 posts)So technically they qualify as politicians as well.
madaboutharry
(40,148 posts)SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)the Assistant Sheriff, as this man is, is not.
madokie
(51,076 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)The only elected official in the department is the L.A. County Sheriff. The several Assistant Sheriffs and the Undersheriffs above them are appointed by the Sheriff.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Iggo
(47,486 posts)They're the best!