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Racketeering Charges Against Four in Car Financing Scheme

http://baldwin-whitehall.patch.com/articles/racketeering-charges-against-four-in-car-financing-scheme

Vincent LoCastro—site developer in Baldwin Township—and three family members are charged.
May 10, 2012


Racketeering and theft charges have been filed against Vincent LoCastro, the site developer who received approval from the Baldwin Township Board of Commissioners in January for EZ Auto Sales to open on McNeilly Road.

LoCastro is also the former owner and operator All Pro Auto Mall in Canonsburg Borough. Three of his family members were also charged.

The charges were announced on Thursday by Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone and the Pennsylvania State Police Department.

LoCastro, 57, of 203 Spartan Dr. in Bethel Park, was charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of criminal conspiracy, 18 counts of theft by unlawful taking and 18 counts of defrauding secured creditors. If convicted on all charges, LoCastro could face up to 206 years in prison.

Also charged were:

Frank LoCastro of 151 Carol Dr. in Peters Township, brother of Vincent—two counts of corrupt organizations, two counts of criminal conspiracy, 32 counts of theft by unlawful taking, 32 counts of defrauding secured creditors and one count of unsworn falsification to authorities. If convicted on all charges, Frank could face up to 370 years in prison.

Nicole LoCastro of 203 Spartan Dr., daughter of Vincent—two counts of corrupt organizations and two counts of criminal conspiracy. If convicted on all charges, Nicole could face up to 80 years in prison.

Joseph Bruce LoCastro, of 203 Spartan Dr., son of Vincent—two counts of corrupt organizations and two counts of criminal conspiracy. If convicted on all charges, Joseph could face up to 80 years in prison.

The allegations set forth in Thursday's filing of criminal charges are based on documents filed before Magisterial District Judge David Mark.

Those documents allege that:

Between Dec. 23, 2008, and Feb. 5, 2009, Frank LoCastro purchased multiple vehicles and financed them through multiple financial institutions.

Frank LoCastro used fraudulent employment and income information to obtain the loans.
Frank LoCastro subsequently defaulted on all of the loans.

Examination of the records from each transaction show that 14 of the vehicle purchase transactions also involved Vincent LoCastro; 10 of the transactions involved Joseph LoCastro; and eight of the transactions involved Nicole LoCastro.

"Filing of criminal charges under Pennsylvania's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is a rare event due to the complex nature of these types of cases," Vittone said.

"The Pennsylvania State police investigation exposed the fraudulent car financing scheme by the Locastros conducted through All Pro Auto Mall in Canonsburg. Hundreds of hours of police work were invested in this case. For their dedication, I commend the diligent efforts of the state police in this investigation."

All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

No charges have been filed against any LoCastros related to any involvement with EZ Auto Sales. EZ Auto is approved in Baldwin Township to run a motor vehicle sales agency at 514 McNeilly Rd., but as of Wednesday, 514 McNeilly is vacant with only an "EZ AUTO SALES" banner hanging there.

EZ Auto does not own 514 McNeilly.

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