Illinois Man Convicted in Odometer Tampering Case

An Illinois man, Hussein Ghzo, 42, of Palos Heights, was convicted final Friday by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Ghzo, alongside along with his brother Laith Ghzo, 38, and Musab Sawai, 36, conspired to change the odometer readings on lots of of used vehicles and promote them to unsuspecting shoppers.

In response to courtroom paperwork and proof offered on the trial, the defendants bought high-mileage vehicles at auto auctions and introduced them to Chicago. They then altered the odometer readings to indicate decrease mileage, falsified title paperwork to replicate these false readings, and submitted the falsified titles to the Illinois Secretary of State. Subsequently, the vehicles have been bought at different auctions with the false low mileage titles and false odometer readings.

The proof on the trial revealed that Hussein Ghzo was warned on three separate events that the vehicles he was promoting had rolled again mileage. Regardless of these warnings, he continued to take part within the scheme, together with posing as different individuals to cover his true identification. U.S. District Decide Manish S. Shah of the Northern District of Illinois presided over the trial.

Principal Deputy Assistant Legal professional Normal Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Division’s Civil Division, emphasised the division’s dedication to prosecuting those that deceive shoppers. He famous that the scheme disadvantaged shoppers of essential details about automobile security and future restore prices.

Hussein Ghzo is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2025, and faces a most penalty of 5 years in jail. A federal district courtroom choose will decide any sentence after contemplating the U.S. Sentencing Pointers and different statutory components.

Ghzo’s brother, Laith Ghzo, and Musab Sawai have beforehand pleaded responsible in reference to this matter and are awaiting sentencing. Laith Ghzo might be sentenced on October 31, whereas Sawai’s sentencing date has not but been set.