Lamborghini of Calabasas Owner to Plead Guilty

March 11, 2009

Viken Keuylian (right), who owned Lamborghini of Calabasas and another dealership in Orange County, has agreed to plead guilty to felony wire fraud charges. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

The U.S. Department of Justice says Keuylian bilked Volkswagen Credit (VCI) out of over $12 million, after the financing company gave him loans to purchase vehicles. The loans were targeted to specific vehicles, to be paid back when they sold.

Instead, authorities say, he sold 54 cars in October 2008 for less than the loan amount, yet told VCI that many of the vehicles were still on his lot. He used the cash to pay off other debts and business expenses, including a vineyard. Evidently none of the money was paid back.

Keuylian claimed to be the world’s largest Lamborghini dealer in the world, selling about 10% of Lamborghinis made worldwide. His spectacular Calabasas opening featured stars from Fabio, Kristen Bell, Hayden Panettiere and Natalie Maines.

He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Santa Ana next Monday.