Dennis Ray Alston, Auto Fraud, TX 1987

HOUSTON, TX – A complex scheme to illegally import and register non-conforming automobiles, bypassing federal emissions standards, landed Dennis Ray Alston and several associates in hot water with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice in 1986 and 1987. The case, originating in Texas, revealed a network of individuals exploiting a loophole in the Clean Air Act to profit from the sale of vehicles that didn’t meet U.S. pollution requirements.

The investigation, which began in 1985, centered around the fraudulent use of a “five-year-old exemption” intended for classic or collector vehicles. Alston, owner of D.R.A. Construction Company, along with his employee, and associates Freddie and Donald Fincher of Fred Fincher Motors, Inc., and Laurus, a German national, allegedly conspired to falsely represent the age and specifications of imported cars to the EPA and Customs Service. Wiatt, co-owner of Grand Prix Motors, was also implicated in submitting fraudulent documentation.

According to court documents, the group submitted false statements and engaged in smuggling to bring vehicles into the country without proper certification. The 31 and 47-count indictments filed against Gall, Alston, Williams, Freddie Fincher, Donald Fincher, and Laurus detailed charges of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), entering goods by means of false statements (18 U.S.C. 542), smuggling (18 U.S.C. 545), and making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001). The scheme involved misrepresenting the vehicles’ ages to qualify them for the exemption, effectively circumventing Clean Air Act regulations.

A series of guilty pleas began to unravel the conspiracy in late 1985 and early 1986. Williams, an employee of Alston, was the first to plead guilty to conspiracy and smuggling charges. Gall and Laurus soon followed, admitting to their roles in the scheme. Freddie and Donald Fincher each pled guilty to entering goods into the country by false statements, receiving a $10,000 fine each. Alston himself eventually pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and ten misdemeanor counts of violating the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)) for knowingly submitting false statements to the EPA. Wiatt also entered a guilty plea to submitting fraudulent documents.

While the penalties handed down appear relatively light by today’s standards, the case highlights the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations. Alston received six months probation, $3,800 in restitution, and a $24,000 fine. Williams received 36 months probation and 80 hours of community service, and Wiatt was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and a $1,500 fine. Laurus received 12 months probation. The investigation underscored the importance of accurate documentation and the potential consequences of defrauding federal agencies.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Dennis Ray Alston, along with multiple co-conspirators
Crime: Auto fraud, specifically circumventing Clean Air Act requirements through false statements and smuggling.
Location: Texas
Year: 1987 (indictments and pleas occurred 1985-1986)
Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy), 18 U.S.C. 542 (Entering Goods by False Statements), 18 U.S.C. 545 (Smuggling), 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements), 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2) (Clean Air Act violation)
Penalties: Ranging from probation and community service to fines totaling over $30,000.
Scheme: Exploited a five-year-old exemption for classic vehicles to illegally import and register non-conforming automobiles.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow cases of environmental crime and fraud, holding those who violate public trust accountable.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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