Seized replica movie cars including a Batmobile are up for auction
Three replica movie cars were seized following a criminal fraud case are now being auctioned off in the US state of Ohio.Government repossession auctions aren't anything new, and the types of items that frequent the sales list are usually pretty standard. Not in the US though, where three replica movie cars are up for auction following a criminal fraud case where the charged person seemed to have invested their fraudulently acquired dollars into a Batmobile, a Back to the Future Delorean and a Ghostbusters Ectomobile.
According to the Department of Justice, Ryan Sheridan owned and operated Braking Point Recovery Centers in the US state of Ohio and had billed the government $48 million ($68 million AUD) for drug and alcohol recovery services. However, it appeared that services were "not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation, or had other issues that made them ineligible for reimbursement".
Sheridan pleaded guilty to several charges and was ordered to pay over the equivalent of $35 million AUD in restitution. To recover the funds, a forfeiture order was issued and these replicas were among the many items seized by the government.
"These three flashy cars are an example of the ill-gotten gains obtained with the tens of millions of dollars that Ryan Sheridan stole from Medicare, and therefore American taxpayers," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio. "The U.S. Marshals routinely sell vehicles, real estate and other assets to return proceeds to victims of federal crimes."
So what replica cars are up for auction?
There is a 1981 DeLorean which has been transformed into a Back to the Future replica time machine. Complete with all the wacky gadgetry Doc created to help propel he and Marty through time.
If a time machine sounds a little too farfetched, why not a 1959 Cadillac customised as the Ghostbusters Ectomobile.
And for those who were big fans of the Tim Burton era of Batman series, there is also a 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic transformed into the cape crusaders Batmobile too.
Image: Skipco Auto AuctionThe auction will be held by Skipco Auto Auction on August 1st in Ohio in person as well as simulcast online. Probably not a bad idea considering the current COVID environment.
Related: 15 interesting facts about the Batmobile
Related: The story of John DeLorean and the car that shares his name
Related: Replica KITT from Knight Rider up for auction so time to live your Hasselhoff fantasy
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