Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (2024)

  • Home
  • >>Crime

Crime

Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (1)

Danny Koker, Kevin Mack and Mike Henry of Counting Cars (Counting Cars Official Facebook)

More Stories

Judge rejects effort to bail out man accused in Tupac killing‘Astonishingly unprovoked’: Police say man jailed in downtown bus stabbingsLas Vegas man convicted on multiple child sex charges, faces life in prison4 charged in $250k jewelry vendor heist on Las Vegas Strip

By KIMBER LAUX LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

May 10, 2016 - 9:13 pm

Updated November 28, 2017 - 4:40 pm

Count’s Kustoms, a Las Vegas auto shop with a reality TV series on the History Channel, claims a former employee used more than $75,000 of the company’s money to cover personal expenses.

In a lawsuit filed in March, the hot rod and motorcycle restoration and customization company featured in the “Counting Cars” series accuses former employee Joseph Frontiera of using the business’ money to make a down payment on his personal Land Rover Range Rover and buy airline tickets for personal use.

He also failed to pay the company’s taxes on time, resulting in an IRS penalty of about $18,000, the lawsuit claims.

The complaint also accuses Randstad Professionals, a Delaware-based hiring firm, of referring Frontiera for a job that would put him in charge of company assets without disclosing his employment history, “which included prior charges of embezzlement when he was in a position of such access.”

Without consulting his bosses at Count’s Kustoms, “Frontiera had signature stamps made of Daniel N. Koker II and Kevin Mack for the purpose of stamping checks in their absence,” the lawsuit reads.

Koker, who dons dark-framed sunglasses, a bandanna and a company shirt with cut-off sleeves in the show, has managed the business for 15 years. Mack, Koker’s co-star and best friend according to the show’s website, helps find cars to restore and sell.

Las Vegas Justice Court records show that Frontiera was charged in September with felony theft of more than $3,500 for a crime that happened in August 2013. A warrant for Frontiera’s arrest was issued but has not been served because he is living in Florida, said Steven Mack, the attorney representing Count’s Kustoms in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Frontiera began working for the company in June 2013.

“Frontiera represented himself as a qualified employee without negative employment history or criminal history,” the lawsuit states.

After Count’s Kustoms began finding “irregularities in its accounting as well as some of the clients’ accounts and projects,” according to the lawsuit, the company did its own background check on Frontiera and found that he had a criminal history of embezzlement and fraud with a past employer in Florida.

Attorneys for Randstad are counter-suing the custom vehicle shop on grounds that the allegations made by Count’s Kustoms lack factual support. The hiring firm also claims that its contract with Count’s Kustoms “expressly prohibited” the shop from allowing Frontiera to handle cash or credit card transactions and giving him the authority to transfer or disburse funds.

Frontiera’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the Count’s Kustoms case Tuesday.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Follow her on Twitter: @lauxkimber

MOST READ

1Welcome to Las Vegas’ housing crisis in 20242Antonio Pierce’s wife files for bankruptcy over $28M in judgments against Raiders coach3German railway manufacturer to open $20M facility in North Las Vegas4What’s that massive building going up near Ikea in southwest Las Vegas?55 killed in North Las Vegas shootings; gunman dies by suicide

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'READ MORE'; html += 'LIVE WELL'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'STORIES LIKE THIS'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('livewell').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-sponsored-full').length>0) { return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-what-are-they-hiding')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?'; html += 'Exposing officials and agencies keeping public records from the public.'; html += 'CLICK HERE TO READ MORE'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('2023-year-in-review').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-2023-year-in-review')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '2023 YEAR IN REVIEW'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('2023-year-in-review').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-msg-sphere')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '

See Also
What Happened To Danny Koker From Counting Cars? - GrungeWhat happened between Danny Koker and Ryan Evans?Understanding Danny From Counting Cars' Legal Situation: Sentencing And ImpactIs Count's Kustoms Closed Or Still In Business? Here's What We Know

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('tag-msg-sphere').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-jeff-german-murder') || $('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-remembering-jeff-german')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('jeff_german').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-911-anniversary')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'REMEMBERING 9/11: 20 YEARS LATER'; html += 'Looking back at the 2001 terror attacks and how they affected Las Vegas and the world.'; html += 'Read more'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('anniversary-911').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-class-of-2021')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'MEET THE UNFORGETTABLE CLASS'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '2021'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('class-2021').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-2022-election')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'ELECTION 2022'; html += 'Read more'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (16)'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'ELECTION RESULTS'; html += 'Click here'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('election-2022').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-harry-reid-1939-2021')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'Harry Reid(1939-2021)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Senate leader and Nevada political titan'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('harry-reid').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-henry-ruggs')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'HENRY RUGGSDEADLY CRASH'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'CLICK FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('henry-ruggs').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('category-homicides')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'HOMICIDE'; html += 'A STORY BEHIND EVERY NAME'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'TRACKER'; html += 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('homicides').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-sheldon-adelson')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'Sheldon Adelson(1933-2021)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Las Vegas visionary and Philanthropist.'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('sheldon-adelson').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-tony-hsieh')) { html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += ''; html += 'Tony Hsieh(1973-2020)'; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += ''; html += 'Ex-Zappos and Downtown Project CEO left a lasting impression on Las Vegas.'; html += 'Read more'; html += ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('tony-hsieh').html(html); return; } if ($('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-vegas-weekend')) { //vegas-reawakening html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'VEGAS REAWAKENING'; html += 'A year after the pandemic began, the first weekend of spring showed a perfect storm of promise for Las Vegas’ recovery and brought optimism that visitors would indeed return to the city'; html += 'Read more'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('vegas-reawakening').html(html); return; } //add newsletters embed var default_category_to_show = ['News', 'Local', 'Life', 'Crime']; var newsletter_1st_lv = []; newsletter_1st_lv['default'] = {'id':'starting_point,pm_update', 'track_name':'StartingPoint', 'title':'LOCAL NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free daily Morning and Afternoon Update newsletters.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Sports'] = {'id':'sports', 'track_name':'Sports', 'title':'SPORTS NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free daily Sports Update newsletter.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Business'] = {'id':'business', 'track_name':'Business', 'title':'BUSINESS NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free Business Update newsletter.'}; newsletter_1st_lv['Entertainment'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'entertainment', 'track_name':'Entertainment', 'title':'WANT THE LATEST ON LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for free entertainment email alerts'}; //newsletter_1st_lv['Nevada Preps'] = {'id':'nevada_preps', 'title':'HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Stay up to date with our free Nevada Preps newsletter.'}; //newsletter_1st_lv['Investigations'] = {'id':'rj_investigates', 'title':'INVESTIGATIVE NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free RJ Investigates newsletter.'}; var cat_has_subcat = ['News','Business','Entertainment','Sports', 'Opinion']; var newsletter_2nd_lv = []; newsletter_2nd_lv['Politics and Government'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'political', 'track_name':'Political', 'title':'LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS COVERAGE', 'subtitle':'

Sign up for our free RJ politics email alerts.

'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['Politics and Government'] = {'id':'political', 'title':'ELECTION 2020: BE INFORMED', 'subtitle':'

FULL COVERAGE | ELECTION RESULTS

Sign up for our free RJ Politics newsletter.

'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['Debra J. Saunders'] = {'id':'44', 'title':'YOUR WEEKLY POLITICAL FIX', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free DC-LV newsletter with political stories from the swamp to the Strip.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['CES 2021'] = {'id':'ces', 'title':'CES 2021: STAY IN THE KNOW', 'subtitle':'

The Review-Journal is a media partner with the CTA. Click here for full coverage and live video from CES 2021

Sign up for our free newsletter below.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['TV'] = {'id':'tv_briefing', 'title':'GET YOUR TV LISTINGS', 'subtitle':'Your Weekly TV Briefing.'}; //newsletter_2nd_lv['UNLV'] = {'id':'unlv_rebel_news', 'title':'UNLV SPORTS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Stay up to date on the Rebels with our free newsletter.'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Rodeo'] = {'id':'rodeo_nfr', 'track_name':'RodeoNFR', 'title':'RODEO NEWS YOUR WAY', 'subtitle':'Don\'t miss any of the action! Click here for full NFR coverage or Sign up for our free newsletter below'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Raiders News'] = {'id':'vegasnation', 'track_name':'VegasNation', 'title':'WANT EVEN MORE RAIDERS NEWS?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for our free Vegas Nation newsletter.'}; newsletter_2nd_lv['Golden Knights'] = {'id':'','alert_id':'golden_knights', 'track_name':'GoldenKnights', 'title':'WANT MORE KNIGHTS IN YOUR DAY?', 'subtitle':'Sign up for free Golden Knights email alerts for all the latest updates'}; var main_cat = ''; var m_hierarchy = []; var m_cat = []; var m_hl_cat = ''; if (window.dataLayer[0].metrics) { main_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.section; //National Finals Rodeo m_hierarchy = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.hierarchy.split(' | '); //"Sports | Rodeo | National Finals Rodeo" m_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.categories; //["National Finals Rodeo","Rodeo","Sports"] m_hl_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics['hl-category']; //Sports } var i, k, found, newsletter; newsletter = false; found = false; if (default_category_to_show.includes(m_hl_cat)) { newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv['default']; } if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hl_cat)) { newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hl_cat]; } // check main category if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(main_cat)) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[main_cat]; } if (!found) { // check in hierarchy (main category hierarchy) i = m_hierarchy.length; while (!found && i >= 0) { i--; if (i > 0) { if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_hierarchy[i]]; } } else { // i=0, check first level if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hierarchy[i]]; } } } } if (!found) { // check in category i = m_cat.length; while (!found && i > 0 && cat_has_subcat.includes(m_hl_cat)) { i--; if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_cat[i])) { found = true; newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_cat[i]]; } } } if (newsletter !== false && !$('.rj-story-full').hasClass('tag-hide-newsletter') && !$('.rj-story-full').hasClass(' rj-story-sponsored-full')) { var alert_id = ''; if (newsletter.alert_id) { alert_id = newsletter.alert_id; } html = ''; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'+newsletter.title+'

'; html += '

'+newsletter.subtitle+'

'; html += '

'; html += '' html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy and '; html += 'Terms of Service. Unsubscribe at any time.'; html += '

'; html += '

'; html += 'This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.'; html += '

'; html += '

'; $('.nlsm-small').html(html); } //});})(jQuery);

See Also
Counting Car's Danny Koker: 'I cried when they drove it away!'

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

THE LATEST

Judge rejects effort to bail out man accused in Tupac killing

ByNoble Brigham/RJ

A judge again rejected the attempt of the man accused of orchestrating rapper Tupac Shakur’s killing to get out of jail.

‘Astonishingly unprovoked’: Police say man jailed in downtown bus stabbings

ByNoble Brigham/RJ

The suspect is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on $1 million bail, according to jail and court records.

Las Vegas man convicted on multiple child sex charges, faces life in prison

ByMarvin Clemons/RJ

The Henderson arrest report states that King met a Las Vegas Valley teen online, obtained her phone number and personal information, then informed the youth “now I own you.”

4 charged in $250k jewelry vendor heist on Las Vegas Strip

ByEstelle Atkinson/RJ

Four suspects have been charged for stealing a bag containing about $250,000 worth of diamonds from a jewelry vendor as he grabbed a drink at a Palazzo bar May 31.

Woman, 24, identified by coroner as one of 5 killed in shooting

ByRicardo Torres-Cortez and Peter Breen/RJ

A matriarch, her daughter and grandson, and a college basketball player were four of five people killed in North Las Vegas shootings this week.

Records ID burglary suspect shot by Las Vegas police

ByRicardo Torres-Cortez/RJ

A 41-year-old man shot by Las Vegas police on Tuesday during a burglary call at a home is facing a half-dozen felony charges, according to court and jail records.

Ahern company accused of running Ponzi scheme in new lawsuit

ByAnnie Vong/RJ

Insurance companies and banks are suing billionaire Republican donor Don Ahern and Ahern Rentals for alleged fraud.

Las Vegas police shoot knife-wielding man outside east valley business

ByCaitlin Lilly and Noble Brigham/RJ

Las Vegas police say officers shot a man who was armed with two knives early Wednesday morning in the east Las Vegas Valley.

‘We will be out watching’: Las Vegas police confiscate illegal fireworks

ByMarvin Clemons/RJ

Last year, Las Vegas police confiscated more than 2,500 pounds of illegal fireworks, Clark County said.

Laughlin man arrested in girlfriend’s shooting death

ByMarvin Clemons/RJ

Paul Herrera, 43, was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of open murder, police said.

MORE STORIES

‘Defendants were raising funds to steal’: Purported billionaire, associates face lawsuitVICTOR JOECKS: Antisemitic rot at UNLV alleged in lawsuitco*cktail server sues Wynn for disability discriminationStudent alleges antisemitism at UNLV, inaction by Whitfield, Regents‘Baby Reindeer’ lawsuit: Woman who says she’s the real Martha sues for $170MRepublican groups file another lawsuit on Nevada mail ballot process

'; html += '

' html += '

'+d['title']+'

'; html += '

'; $('.rjp-related .base-'+base+' .field-story').append(html); } }});})(jQuery);

Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (2024)
Top Articles
Terraria: How To Get The Drill Containment Unit Mount
VIZ: The Official Website for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Priyam Aeternum Prima in Borivali West, Mumbai @ Price on Request - Floor Plans, Location Map & Reviews
TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 28 June 2024
Peter Piper Pizza 12Th And Ajo
Garnet Hill Remove From Mailing List
St.cloud Craigslist
Latest News Today Live Updates June 26, 2024: 'Inhumane act’: PM Giorgia Meloni pays homage to Indian labour who died of negligence in Italy
Nadia Nadim Boyfriend 2024: Dating History & Exes - CelebsCouples
What Is Nadia Nakai’s Relationship Status and Who Is She Dating?
Christina Moore: Filme, Serien und Biografie
Convert feet to miles
Latest Posts
A Knife for Harry Dodd (Chief Inspector Littlejohn #21)
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 for sale - Fort Worth, TX - craigslist
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6040

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.