Former Waukegan car salesman denies theft of customer downpayment money

A former salesman at a Waukegan auto dealership pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he sold 23 cars on the job and pocketed his customers' down payments.

Ivan Scianni, 21, of Flossmoor, faces up to five years in prison if convicted of felony theft but would also be eligible for probation.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Tim Niehus said Scianni was employed as a salesman at Roadside Auto, 2725 Belvedere Road in Waukegan, between June 15 and July 30, 2011.

During that time, Niehus said, Scianni sold 23 cars with a total value of $51,000 and collected $30,000 in down payments from customers.

None of the down payment money Scianni collected was turned over to the dealership, Niehus said, and Scianni promised to pay back the money when confronted by the dealership owner.

The money was never paid, Niehus said, and Scianni refused to answer questions from Waukegan police called to investigate.

Circuit Judge James Booras scheduled a trial of the case for April 27 and ordered Scianni, who is free on $5,000 bond, to appear in court March 30.