Date of This Summary: October, 2019 Plaintiff: Timothy J Newmann Defendant: Michael J Paletta 531 21st St. SW Naples, FL 34117 Current Business Name and Address: American Diesel 1837 J & C Blvd. Naples, FL 34109 (239)216-8998
I met this Snake in May of 2016 because I owned a ’34 Ford that needed to be finished so I could sell it. He said sure, he would take care of it and have it done in a couple of months. He came across as a straight-shooter, nice guy, and a professional businessman, and said we could work together on some deals and make good profits.
I had the car towed to Paletta’s shop, at 1837 J & C Blvd., on May 23, 2016. He even told me he would sell it for me for at least $75,000 and most likely for $110,000. Later he told me he already had a buyer and the car would be sold by December, 2016.
The car wasn’t finished by December, and he kept putting it off by giving believable excuses, all the while reaffirming that he would take care of it and sell it for me. He also kept reaffirming our "friendship”, so I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman.
I didn’t know yet that I was dealing with a professional liar, a thief, and a cheat. He kept telling me stories about paint problems and parts problems and on and on, and kept asking for more money. I repeat, I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman……
This continued for month after month……. In the meantime, he bought and sold an old Firebird and made some serious money on it, so I was impressed (and he hooked the sucker-Madoff-style). …..so in July, 2017, he offered to sell me a '37 Ford for $30,000.00.
He said it was finished and needed nothing and that I could resell it for at least $65,000. I asked him why he was selling to me for $30,000 and he said he needed the money now to buy a house, but he could sell it for me by the end of November, 2017.
Then he offered to sell me a '70 Barracuda to me for $60,000, telling me it was a "money car" and would sell for at least $150,000, and could go for as much as $250-$300,000. He said additional parts needed would cost me about $800 and he would provide the labor.
He said he would get it sold by January, 2017. Again, he said he needed the cash to by this house. Yeah, I know………………………. Then he told me bought 5 motorcycles at an auction and asked me if I wanted in on the deal, telling me that there would be a large quick profit.
I gave him check for $16,250 for a 50% cut of the profit on these bikes. Then he said the deal fell through, "…the bikes were junk, so I said no to the deal”. I kept trying to believe that he was on the up-and-up. He’s a very good persuader and liar.
He had to be, because believe it or not at this point he still had me believing he was just a great guy trying to share the wealth. Yeah, I know………………………….. Then he offered to sell me a COE Hauler with an "Autocar” cab on it for $35,000. He told me he could sell it with in 30 days for $65,000.
He said it needed no parts or labor, and reconfirmed to me twice that it would be sold in one month after I asked him again if he was sure about the 30 days. He again convinced me that he needed the cash to complete the purchase of his new house. Yeah, I know……………………….. I repeat again: I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman.
I thought these were the "money-making deals” he told me we could do together. I still didn’t know yet that I was dealing with a professional liar, a thief, and a cheat. He is the best liar I have ever come across and is always very convincing. He puts on this act that he was just a regular good guy and he was good for what he said he could and would do.
Then he had told me he was taking the ’37 Ford and the COE Hauler to sell at an auction the next week, so he needed the titles, which I gave him. I made him sign a document that stated what we were doing and these were still my vehicles. I asked him many times to just finish something so it could be sold and we'd have some liquid cash to keep the projects going.
We had "progress meetings” at Steak & Shake and he kept giving excuses about personal and business problems….and he kept asking for more money. But it was now long past the dates he said all of the cars would be finished and sold and I finally realized that it was time I told this Snake to either do what he kept saying he was going to do, or I would take action to make him.
So I offered him two ways to deal with this situation (see link to "Demand Letter”): Plan A: Return all cash payments to me and return the '34 Ford ; Plan B: We do it the hard (Lawyer) way, which will cost a lot for both of us.
He went ballistic, made threats, and refused to return the titles and the two vehicles, saying were his vehicles and he had the titles to prove it…… …..And then I finally realized this guy was a liar and a snake. Yeah, I know………………………… . So I had no choice but to retain an attorney and file suit.
Long story short…..I spent major serious bucks on legal fees and costs. After mediation, which I agreed to so the flow of money from my checking account would stop, I got the two vehicles back. (See links to legal and related documents attached).
After adverting and promoting the vehicles, this is what happened: The "Money Car” Barracuda sold for $29,000; The '37 Ford sold for $15,000; The ’34 Ford sold for $21,000. It cost me an additional $14,000 to have the ’34 Ford completed after I had already paid him $12,000 to finish it. He had torn out the original upholstery and sanded most of the car—so it looked terrible and I had no choice but to put even more money in to it.
Lost over $40,000.!!..... just on that car. The COE Hauler is still for sale…the last asking price was $12,000. As of today, this snake has a new business name, "American Diesel”, with 5-star reviews from his girlfriend and buddies. He has changed the name of his business several times: Prior Business Names: -Automotive Kings -Speed Demons -Darkside Chariots --Chariots of Kings -Mike’s Auto Tops and Upholstery.
Final Note: I’m waiting for Karma to do its thing-hoping to see some headline in the local paper most any time. Sooner or later he’ll stick it to the wrong person and justice will be done PS: I have also reported him to the State of Florida and to the IRS. PPS: There are other victims of this Snake that have filed reports on this site.
Links To Documents Re: Newmann V Paletta and Related N v P Link To Original Complaint Filed 8-3-17 in Collier County- Newmann v Paletta https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jU-apfz-opOEaPhm4UumXGfFd9dPz4Iq/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Newmann to Paletta-Demand Letter 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dQF6nWrrNrGj5kTzl8sRbjxjk2WZ669O/view?usp=sharing N v P Texts Between Newmann and Paletta Re Cars-Pickup 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DruOqMg6xOmCtHYpEivX3S0ZmWY-th0X/view?usp=sharing Link To: N v P Paletta Deposition With Notes 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uuElVgeM6Ew7AjaZIZdEjBILXot1X3aV/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Affidavit of Nicole Hurley 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-d3wcaEo23RlMIlxn6FPozGMqOCVj_ac/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Darkside Chariots Complaint Letter C:\Users\timzb\Documents\Newmann v Paletta Darkside Chariots Complaint Letter 10-5-19.pdf Link To Gastonia GA Police Report https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n82ID3pYkCPWTeo48fGQm7KMaf3SyYiP/view?usp=sharing Link To: Newmann V Paletta-ClubChopper Forum-Prior Victims 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B4aaIosAFhHskmNXzLH2oPdlPx_ag7W0/view?usp=sharing
American Diesel Reviews
Date of This Summary: October, 2019 Plaintiff: Timothy J Newmann Defendant: Michael J Paletta 531 21st St. SW Naples, FL 34117 Current Business Name and Address: American Diesel 1837 J & C Blvd. Naples, FL 34109 (239)216-8998
I met this Snake in May of 2016 because I owned a ’34 Ford that needed to be finished so I could sell it. He said sure, he would take care of it and have it done in a couple of months. He came across as a straight-shooter, nice guy, and a professional businessman, and said we could work together on some deals and make good profits.
I had the car towed to Paletta’s shop, at 1837 J & C Blvd., on May 23, 2016. He even told me he would sell it for me for at least $75,000 and most likely for $110,000. Later he told me he already had a buyer and the car would be sold by December, 2016.
The car wasn’t finished by December, and he kept putting it off by giving believable excuses, all the while reaffirming that he would take care of it and sell it for me. He also kept reaffirming our "friendship”, so I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman.
I didn’t know yet that I was dealing with a professional liar, a thief, and a cheat. He kept telling me stories about paint problems and parts problems and on and on, and kept asking for more money. I repeat, I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman……
This continued for month after month……. In the meantime, he bought and sold an old Firebird and made some serious money on it, so I was impressed (and he hooked the sucker-Madoff-style). …..so in July, 2017, he offered to sell me a '37 Ford for $30,000.00.
He said it was finished and needed nothing and that I could resell it for at least $65,000. I asked him why he was selling to me for $30,000 and he said he needed the money now to buy a house, but he could sell it for me by the end of November, 2017.
Then he offered to sell me a '70 Barracuda to me for $60,000, telling me it was a "money car" and would sell for at least $150,000, and could go for as much as $250-$300,000. He said additional parts needed would cost me about $800 and he would provide the labor.
He said he would get it sold by January, 2017. Again, he said he needed the cash to by this house. Yeah, I know………………………. Then he told me bought 5 motorcycles at an auction and asked me if I wanted in on the deal, telling me that there would be a large quick profit.
I gave him check for $16,250 for a 50% cut of the profit on these bikes. Then he said the deal fell through, "…the bikes were junk, so I said no to the deal”. I kept trying to believe that he was on the up-and-up. He’s a very good persuader and liar.
He had to be, because believe it or not at this point he still had me believing he was just a great guy trying to share the wealth. Yeah, I know………………………….. Then he offered to sell me a COE Hauler with an "Autocar” cab on it for $35,000. He told me he could sell it with in 30 days for $65,000.
He said it needed no parts or labor, and reconfirmed to me twice that it would be sold in one month after I asked him again if he was sure about the 30 days. He again convinced me that he needed the cash to complete the purchase of his new house. Yeah, I know……………………….. I repeat again: I still thought I was dealing with a fair and honest businessman.
I thought these were the "money-making deals” he told me we could do together. I still didn’t know yet that I was dealing with a professional liar, a thief, and a cheat. He is the best liar I have ever come across and is always very convincing. He puts on this act that he was just a regular good guy and he was good for what he said he could and would do.
Then he had told me he was taking the ’37 Ford and the COE Hauler to sell at an auction the next week, so he needed the titles, which I gave him. I made him sign a document that stated what we were doing and these were still my vehicles. I asked him many times to just finish something so it could be sold and we'd have some liquid cash to keep the projects going.
We had "progress meetings” at Steak & Shake and he kept giving excuses about personal and business problems….and he kept asking for more money. But it was now long past the dates he said all of the cars would be finished and sold and I finally realized that it was time I told this Snake to either do what he kept saying he was going to do, or I would take action to make him.
So I offered him two ways to deal with this situation (see link to "Demand Letter”): Plan A: Return all cash payments to me and return the '34 Ford ; Plan B: We do it the hard (Lawyer) way, which will cost a lot for both of us.
He went ballistic, made threats, and refused to return the titles and the two vehicles, saying were his vehicles and he had the titles to prove it…… …..And then I finally realized this guy was a liar and a snake. Yeah, I know………………………… . So I had no choice but to retain an attorney and file suit.
Long story short…..I spent major serious bucks on legal fees and costs. After mediation, which I agreed to so the flow of money from my checking account would stop, I got the two vehicles back. (See links to legal and related documents attached).
After adverting and promoting the vehicles, this is what happened: The "Money Car” Barracuda sold for $29,000; The '37 Ford sold for $15,000; The ’34 Ford sold for $21,000. It cost me an additional $14,000 to have the ’34 Ford completed after I had already paid him $12,000 to finish it. He had torn out the original upholstery and sanded most of the car—so it looked terrible and I had no choice but to put even more money in to it.
Lost over $40,000.!!..... just on that car. The COE Hauler is still for sale…the last asking price was $12,000. As of today, this snake has a new business name, "American Diesel”, with 5-star reviews from his girlfriend and buddies. He has changed the name of his business several times: Prior Business Names: -Automotive Kings -Speed Demons -Darkside Chariots --Chariots of Kings -Mike’s Auto Tops and Upholstery.
Final Note: I’m waiting for Karma to do its thing-hoping to see some headline in the local paper most any time. Sooner or later he’ll stick it to the wrong person and justice will be done PS: I have also reported him to the State of Florida and to the IRS. PPS: There are other victims of this Snake that have filed reports on this site.
Links To Documents Re: Newmann V Paletta and Related N v P Link To Original Complaint Filed 8-3-17 in Collier County- Newmann v Paletta https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jU-apfz-opOEaPhm4UumXGfFd9dPz4Iq/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Newmann to Paletta-Demand Letter 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dQF6nWrrNrGj5kTzl8sRbjxjk2WZ669O/view?usp=sharing N v P Texts Between Newmann and Paletta Re Cars-Pickup 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DruOqMg6xOmCtHYpEivX3S0ZmWY-th0X/view?usp=sharing Link To: N v P Paletta Deposition With Notes 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uuElVgeM6Ew7AjaZIZdEjBILXot1X3aV/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Affidavit of Nicole Hurley 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-d3wcaEo23RlMIlxn6FPozGMqOCVj_ac/view?usp=sharing N v P Link To: Darkside Chariots Complaint Letter C:\Users\timzb\Documents\Newmann v Paletta Darkside Chariots Complaint Letter 10-5-19.pdf Link To Gastonia GA Police Report https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n82ID3pYkCPWTeo48fGQm7KMaf3SyYiP/view?usp=sharing Link To: Newmann V Paletta-ClubChopper Forum-Prior Victims 10-5-19 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B4aaIosAFhHskmNXzLH2oPdlPx_ag7W0/view?usp=sharing