Staff report

A man was indicted March 20 for his part in an automobile sales scam by the Clermont County Grand Jury, according to Miami Township police.

Jason Taylor, 35, of Cincinnati, was indicted on 11 counts of theft, two counts of tampering with records, one count of theft of a motor vehicle, and four counts of grand theft.

According to a release from Detective Greg Jenkins of Miami Township Police Department, Taylor was part-owner of Ohio Valley Motor Cars located at 5656 Wolfpen Road.

“This case has been under investigation since last July,” Jenkins said. “A case like this requires intensive research of business records and conversing with accountants and personnel from the BMV.”

Jenkins said that in the end, the paper trail told police the whole story.

He said Taylor was accused of selling vehicles and failing to provide titles to the buyers as well as accepting money intended for warranties on vehicles sold but keeping the money for himself.

In addition, Taylor is accused of embezzling nearly $74,000 from business accounts.

“The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has worked with victims to facilitate receiving title to the vehicles they bought,” Jenkins said. “In all, 15 victims did not receive the title to their vehicles, however many more victims were assisted by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and did receive their titles.”

According to police, Gary Ward, Taylor’s business partner, has cooperated with investigators and is not suspected of any criminal activity.