A Florida man who operated a classic car restoration shop in Macedon has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding customers out of more than $2.5 million.
Clark Rittersbach, 51, received a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Rittersbach owned Concours Classic Motor Cars in Macedon, a business that restored and sold antique vehicles, often working with international and long-distance clients who relied on his updates and invoices without seeing the projects in person.
Prosecutors said that between 2018 and 2022, Rittersbach repeatedly deceived customers through emails and text messages, claiming he had completed or made progress on restoration work that he had not actually done. He then collected substantial payments for the unfinished work.
In one instance, he told a client in 2019 that a Duesenberg engine restoration was complete and issued a $25,000 invoice. The client wired the payment, but the work had not been finished.
He used a similar tactic with another customer, exaggerating progress on a 1964 Porsche and requesting early payment. Over four years, he defrauded clients of more than $2.5 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said he used false updates to stall customers while trying to complete work they had already funded.
The FBI handled the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford imposed the 24-month sentence.
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