Used car salesman in SC charged in scheme to sell cars he didn’t own, SLED says
A South Carolina used car salesman faces multiple charges after authorities say he sold cars that he didn’t own from his lot.
Richard J. Washington, 40 was arrested on Nov. 5 and charged with four counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent and two counts of forgery. Each count includes a value of $10,000 or more, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
In October 2023, Washington — who owned Oak Grove Automotive, a used car dealership in West Columbia — agreed to purchase a 2014 Cadillac CTS for $12,270 from a victim SLED didn’t identify, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Washington never paid for the vehicle before selling it on his lot for $14,795, according to the affidavit.
To feign ownership of the Cadillac, Washington submitted a counterfeit check to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles because he didn’t have proof of buying the car, the affidavit said.
In addition to the Cadillac, Washington agreed to buy a 2014 Lexus ES350 for $18,675, but never coughed up the money for it. He then went on to the sell the car to a customer for $19,000, according to the affidavit.
For a second time, Washington handed over a counterfeit check to the SCDMV, trying to prove ownership of the Lexus, records show.
SCDMV ultimately requested SLED to investigate Washington, according to a news release.
Washington was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center, where he was released on bond, according to court records.
