Authorities are warning Western New Yorkers about a Lancaster man who has been falsely selling cars.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office says Richard Giza, 63, has pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the second degree, forgery in the second degree, insurance fraud in the third degree, falsifying business records in the first degree and scheme to defraud in the first degree for illegally operating at least two car dealerships.
Prosecutors say from May 2010 to May 2016, Giza operated KPS Carrs in Buffalo and Premier Motocar in Williamsville, accepting payment for vehicles but never transferring the titles or filing the proper paperwork for the purchasers.
He further admitted to falsifying Department of Motor Vehicles forms by failing to indicate he was selling cars, in order to avoid detection by the DMV. Giza also admitted to filing false insurance applications with various creditors.
Authorities say Giza stole more than $122,000 in the form of sales tax collected in connection with the sale of vehicles that he failed to forward to the proper authorities.
He faces mandatory state prison time, with a maximum term of 15 years when he is sentenced in February.
