Man enters plea deal in junk car scam

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kalamazoo car dealer involved in a conspiracy to sell unsafe cars to Michigan residents has entered into a plea agreement.

Kourush Jamshidi, of Import Cars on West KL Avenue in Kalamazoo, pleaded no contest to one count of felony common law fraud on Feb. 25. His trial was scheduled to begin March 5.

For several years, authorities say, Jamshidi bought junk cars in Wisconsin, brought them over state lines and sold them as if they were safe for the road.

Authorities say Decatur Police Officer James Richardson -- formerly a Michigan State Police trooper -- may have been helping Jamshidi by inspecting the cars he knew were junk, processing them as if they were safe, and pocketing the inspection fee. Richardson has been charged with embezzlement -- a 10-year felony.

Under the terms of Jamshidi's plea deal, four other counts of common law fraud were dropped.

His sentencing is set for April 15. Jamshidi could spend up to 10 years behind bars.

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