Spark EV's Michael Papp arrested in electric vehicle scam
Thanks to our reader Mike, we have an update to share about the troubled history of Michael Papp electric vehicle company. Regular readers will remember that Papp is the man behind Spark EV, a company that has been accused more than once of shady dealings. It looks like the New Jersey law officials agree, and have decided to step in to put a stop to Papp's scam.According to the Express Times, Papp was arrested Friday after failing to deliver 14 electric vehicles to Electric Cars of Houston (which had ordered 10) and Electric Transportation of Arkansas (four). Papp is charged with bilking them for almost $100,000, according to court records. The EVs were paid for in January and February, and Papp told the payers the vehicles would be delivered March 14. They weren't. After trying to track down what happened, the companies asked for a refund. Papp answered that he was filing for bankruptcy, so no go. Apparently, Papp is in Northampton County Prison and being held on $20,000 bail. We'll have more on this as things move forward, I can guarantee you that.
[Source: The Express Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave B 10:02PM (4/13/2008)
Well, let the "i told you so's, begin!"
Another ZAP! to kill the electric car industry...again. Idiots.
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tankd0g 10:11PM (4/13/2008)
The industry has finally arrived! Corruption on par with "real" Fortune 500 companies.
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meme 11:02PM (4/13/2008)
Re, my early and repeated criticism of Papp:
"You're welcome."
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Yanquetino 11:01PM (4/13/2008)
I am soooooo glad that they caught this sheister. But ONLY $20,000 bail? When Papp already stole five times that amount from the dealers? What the judge is thinking? Can't he add?
Now if they'll also finally corner Zap, Hybrid Technologies, and Electric City Motors! I am still waiting to hear that SOMEBODY has actually driven one of the highway-capable cars touted by these companies --and all I hear is dead silence.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:22PM (4/13/2008)
You really should put the "spark-ev" tag on this article so people can click it and see the previous coverage.
Also, you probably want to go back and delete the sock puppet accounts that were made to prop up Spark-EV on here.
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texmln 10:12PM (4/14/2008)
So, when do the Tesla scammers get their due?
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tankd0g 11:56PM (4/13/2008)
How does this guy get arrested while John Hennesey is still free?
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Sebastian 1:29AM (4/14/2008)
"You really should put the "spark-ev" tag on this article so people can click it and see the previous coverage."
Good idea. Done.
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Mark 1:40AM (4/14/2008)
Ah, one more EV manufacturer down the drain.....I bet the lawyers for Exxon Mobil are happy with their payout.
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Not-Mark 3:47PM (7/31/2008)
If you believe that the major manufacturers had anything to do with setting Papp up you are truly an idiot. Just do a Net search on his name and see what turns up. I know of quite a number of people who have been defrauded by this man. According to the district attorney in the case he owes more than 160 people, and those are just the ones who have made formal complaints against him. There's a word that is absolutely applicable to Michael Papp. That word is "sociopath". Besides that, the Chinese manufacturer has not been defrauded or put out of business -- they've just had their name misused.
Why don't you contact Papp and offer to do an honest business deal with him? That'll set you straight about his intentions ... eventually.
Organic 2:13AM (4/14/2008)
Can't wait to see how many other people sent this guy money. These are his "Dealers" Wonder how many people sent him money direct? I asked about one of "his" cars and he was sure fast to ask for money. If anyone has access to PACER please post the court docs.
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told ya so 4:46PM (4/17/2008)
when there is no cars being shown.. not video.. not prototype.. who in the world would invest in it?? Please that's a no brainer.
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KarenRei 12:52PM (4/14/2008)
"Ah, one more EV manufacturer down the drain"
No, one more *scammer* down the drain. What part of, "It's a scam" is hard for you to understand?
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Joseph Gottlieb 4:22PM (4/14/2008)
HEY! don't add me to that list (Electra-City Motors). I don't claim anything. I WAS a dealer for ZAP. I currently do conversions and other EV related stuff, but have NEVER touted I had anything other than Xebras, conversions, or the hybrid work we do.
So please be careful who you lump into your statements.
-Joseph
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why not the LS2LS7? 5:10PM (4/14/2008)
Can we add Johnathan Goodwin who is currently scamming Neil Young to the list?
He was going to have an ECU flash to make your car (yes, your car, every car) get 5-7 more mpg with no other mods. He was converting Neil Young's Lincoln to electric hybrid. He was only 45 days from being done with it 4 months ago. Wanna check up to see if he finished?
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Chris M 6:09PM (4/14/2008)
As usual, when a scammer gets caught, some of the conspiracy nuts claim "he was framed"! It is not at all uncommon for scam victims to be so taken in that they vigorously defend the scammer, and refuse to believe the evidence.
It is also sadly common for scammers to use whatever big issue comes up for their scam. After the fatal Concorde crash, several spam scams went out, pretending to have access to the estate of wealthy crash victims, and asking for help to claim the millions, just need their bank account info and some money for bribes. Of course, there was no millions, but the victims didn't find that out until their accounts were drained.
Now that high oil prices and terrorist funding is big news, scammers are invading the alternative fuels market, with bogus fuel savers, "magnetic motors", "water cars", and non-existent EVs.
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stevefazek 8:23PM (4/14/2008)
such a scam, I kinda gave him the benefit of a doubt when he said he would deliver within 60 days but that came and went. Such a shame all these shady ass holes scam people. I am waiting for the SEC to shut down ZAP
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John 11:15AM (4/20/2008)
This one will blow everyones mind. I am very happy with my electric car I purchased from Spark-ev. Yes.
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Not-Mark 9:59PM (7/31/2008)
John, isn't your name really "Michael"?
Reed Cox 9:59PM (4/17/2008)
John,
I bought one as well and, so far, no real issues.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Reed Cox
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