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

Police: Man killed girlfriend while she was having ‘manic episode’Police reveal new details in shooting by Henderson officerSon of Summerlin law office shooter not suspect in killings, police sayBail set for mother accused in baby’s fentanyl-related death

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

1Here’s which Las Vegas Valley Albertsons could be sold in a supermarket merger2Here’s what will happen at The Mirage before it closes3How much money do Summerlin residents make?4LETTER: What’s up with Jill Biden?5Mirage holding 6-day promo, paying out $1.6M ahead of closure

'; 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
Here's Where The Cast From 'Counting Cars' Is TodayIs Count's Kustoms Closed Or Still In Business? Here's What We KnowCounting Car's Danny Koker: 'I cried when they drove it away!'10 Things That Are Fake On Counting Cars (And 10 Things That Are Actually Real)

'; $('.nlsm-small').addClass('tag-msg-sphere').html(html); return; } if ($('.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 Cars' Isn't 100 Percent Real, but Then Again, Neither Is Most Reality TV

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

THE LATEST

Police: Man killed girlfriend while she was having ‘manic episode’

ByEstelle Atkinson/RJ

Las Vegas police say a 30-year-old man shot and killed his girlfriend in their west valley apartment while their 1-year-old son was in a playpen downstairs.

Police reveal new details in shooting by Henderson officer

ByEstelle Atkinson/RJ

A Henderson Police Department officer shot a gun-wielding man in his hand and shoulder out of concern that he would enter an unsuspecting home in a Henderson neighborhood in a June 20 chase, police said in a video briefing.

Son of Summerlin law office shooter not suspect in killings, police say

ByNoble Brigham/RJ

Attorneys for one of the victims alleged that Dylan Houston “knew or must have known of the intentions of his father” before the fatal shooting.

Bail set for mother accused in baby’s fentanyl-related death

ByNoble Brigham/RJ

Las Vegas police say 31-year-old Kiera McCall told neighbors her 1-year-old son “might have gotten into some heroin under the bed” before his death.

DUI arrest numbers revealed for July 4th weekend in Las Vegas

ByTony Garcia/RJ

Metro had announced that it was participating in a statewide Joining Forces campaign to heighten enforcement of DUI violations.

Woman’s boyfriend sought in southeast valley fatal shooting, police say

ByMarvin Clemons/RJ

The shooting occurred shortly after 7 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 4300 block of Boulder Highway near Desert Inn Road.

Victim identified in Las Vegas apartment homicide

ByKatie Futterman/RJ

The Clark County coroner’s office has identified the woman shot to death on July 3 in a west valley apartment.

Victims of fatal hit-and-run crashes in Las Vegas identified

ByKatie Futterman/RJ

Two fatal hit-and-run crashes happened on the morning of July 5. The Clark County coroner’s office has identified the three victims.

Woman pleads guilty to DUI crash that killed teenager, stepfather

ByKatelyn Newberg/RJ

Cynthia Phelps, 64, pleading guilty to driving under the influence when she crashed into a family of five waiting at a bus stop on Boulder Highway in April, killing a teenage boy and his stepfather.

Las Vegas police video shows 2 dogs rescued from 110-degree van

ByCaitlin Lilly/RJ

Las Vegas police released body camera footage of an incident in which an officer broke a vehicle’s window in order to rescue two dogs who were left inside a hot van.

MORE STORIES

co*cktail server sues Wynn for disability discriminationLawsuit accuses Henderson councilman of predatory loans, presenting company as tribal entityCyberattack sparks 2nd lawsuit against car dealership operatorLVAC sues health district over lifeguard rule 4 months after woman drownsGOP’s lawsuit alleging Nevada voter roll inconsistencies dismissedLas Vegas family suing to get son an extra year of high school

'; 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
Nigeria’s Black Axe mafia dealt 'big blow' by Interpol
Fantasy Football Draft Cheat Sheet, Rankings & Targets (2024)
Frank Menetrez Political Party
Ups Drop Off Newton Ks
Bikininita
Aita For Wearing A Pretty Dress
Downtown Washington, Washington, DC Real Estate & Homes for Sale | realtor.com®
Homes for Sale in Washington, DC with Newest Listings | realtor.com®
Gdp E455
Bc.wth.com Login
Reddit user refusing to split dinner bill evenly sparks drama in group chat: 'Ruined the vibe'
Man amazed after being advised value of rare $5 bill find could "skyrocket"
Latest Posts
6 Expert-Endorsed Techniques to Help You Get to Sleep Fast (and Stay Asleep!)
The Best Natural Sleep Aids To Help You Fall (And Stay) Asleep
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5716

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.