SHIRLEY, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of Ashley Duff, 27, and Ginger Sipes, 58, both residents of Shirley. The pair faces charges of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree. They are accused of selling motor vehicles with altered odometers, significantly inflating the vehicles’ values and deceiving customers into overpaying.
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the serious nature of the allegations, highlighting the broader impact of such fraudulent practices on both consumers and honest local businesses. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) also expressed its support for the investigative efforts, underscoring the commitment to prosecuting those who exploit unsuspecting consumers.
The investigation, spanning from July 27, 2020, to May 6, 2022, was triggered by numerous complaints about odometer tampering to the Suffolk County Police Department. This led to a collaborative investigation with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and NICB. Findings indicated that ABB Auto World Inc., where Duff serves as president, allegedly bought high-mileage vehicles and manipulated their odometers before selling them through Facebook Marketplace.
Both Duff and Sipes were indicted on charges that are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law. Duff was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski on Monday, April 17, and released on her own recognizance. She is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, May 30, 2024. Meanwhile, Sipes, who is employed as a saleswoman at ABB Auto World, faced arraignment on Sunday, April 22.
