Illegal Car Sales Lead to $78,750 Fine and 24 Months Probation

Toronto, June 20, 2003 - Antonio Baldassarre was fined $63,000 in provincial court June 18 for acting as an unregistered motor vehicle dealer. A victim’s surcharge of $15,750 was added to the fine and Baldassarre will also face a 24-month probation period. Terms of the probation will prevent Baldassarre from acting as a dealer or salesperson and from being an interested party in any dealership.

In Ontario, all motor vehicle dealers and salespeople must be registered under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) before engaging in the business of buying, selling or leasing vehicles. In the industry, unregistered individuals selling vehicles are known as "curbsiders" and are subject to prosecution.

Baldassarre was previously registered as a motor vehicle salesperson, but his registration was revoked in February 1981 after finding he rolled the odometers on a number of vehicles before selling them to unsuspecting consumers. Baldassarre later applied for registration, but was refused based on his past conduct. All applicants are screened and must be able to prove they will carry on business with honesty and integrity and in accordance with the law.

OMVIC investigators charged Baldassarre in May 2000 with 21 counts of curbsiding after discovering he falsely used the Registrant Identification Number (RIN) of a registered dealer. Using the RIN, Baldassarre purchased vehicles and resold them to consumers under the pretense they were buying from a registered dealer. Baldassarre was able to profit from the transactions while duping consumers.

Consumers who choose to buy privately should insist the seller provide an official Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). The UVIP details the history of the vehicle’s ownership and private sellers are required by law to provide one to potential buyers. If the seller doesn’t provide one, walk away from the deal.

Suspected curbsiders can be reported to OMVIC by calling 1-888-NOCURBS.

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