Reading man charged in luxury car fraud

Federal prosecutors today accused a Reading man of running a fraud scheme to fleece car financing companies.

Authorities said Flint Andrew Staton, 40, consistently overstated his income on written applications to qualify for financing of luxury cars and then reneged on most of his car payments.

The indictment, unsealed today, said the scheme began in 2003 and ran until charges were filed.

The financing companies either leased or sold Stanton luxury vehicles including a 2003 Jaguar X Type, a 2007 Hummer H2 and a 2001 Porsche Boxster, the indictment said.

In addition to overstating his income, Stanton typically lied about where he worked, the indictment said.

All told, car financing companies - which included familiar names like Nissan, General Motors and Toyota - lost at least $119,167, the indictment said.

Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of the Porsche and a 2003 Chevy Silverado.