NBC Tonight Show talk show host Jay Leno is sued by the estate of a former Macy’s Inc. executive for buying a rare 1931 Duesenberg allegedly worth $1.7 million from a garage where the plaintiff kept it. In April 2005 Leno purchased it for $180,000 from The “Manhattan Garage” which allegedly claims the now-deceased owner didn’t pay the storage bills. The estate alleges that, after the owner John Strauss rejected Leno’s attempt to purchase the Duesenberg, the comedian, an antique car buff, entered into a “sham” transaction with the garage to take ownership of the car. The complaint includes claims of unjust enrichment and “conversion” for the alleged wrongful taking of the Duesenberg. The plaintiffs seek damages of at least $1.7 million and return of the vehicle. Full story HERE.
13 Responses to “Jay Leno Sued Over Purchase Of Rare Duesenberg.”
Comments are currently closed.
Sorry- Leno seems above board, he didn’t need to scam anyone…. Could it be, perhaps, that the previous owners are bitter about selling out cheap, and are engaging in a slap suit to retrieve some money from a high-profile figure?
Gee, I wonder…….
I have a word for those folks: Pay your garage man – you don’t think plenty of people get locked out of their storage units when they don’t pay?
Don’t quote me BUT most states, have a law that if a vehicle is left at a mechanic shop, garage etc. with an unpaid bill, after so many days say 120, the vehicle becomes property of the business with the filed appropriate paperwork. Giving the business the ownership of said vehicle and then they can do whatever they want with it. New York is one of these states with such laws.
I have always found Jay to be one of the finest and most ethical guys I am associated with. J seems to hit it right on.
Keep your chin up Jay, you are tops in my books.
Yup, that’s probably not going to fly. Chin up, Jay! 😉
“keep your chin up”….easier said than done for some
A rare 1931 Duesenberg for $180,000??? Jay knew where he was going with that. A steal of a lifetime and bragging rights for years to come. Yes keep that chin up Jay. By the way I am a big fan of Jay and his motor collection.
Good deal Jay,
A New York City parking garage executive sued along with Jay Leno over their purchases of valuable vintage cars apparently has killed himself.
Police in upstate Warwick say Dennis Ricca died of a single gunshot wound to the head. He was found Oct. 17 behind the wheel of his pickup truck in his summer home’s driveway, with a handgun by his side.
Cool dude biker too- doesnt need to rip anyone off- good luck to him- Mick
Do you really think rich people don’t rip off others. Ha HA.
Look at our economy. I am not saying Leno did anything wrong
but how much money he has does not make him ethical or not.
Plenty of rich crooks around and plenty of crazies around too.
Gee, really, come on now. Can you believe this guy?
Steve
The garage cheated Mr. Strauss. They sent him a bill for the storage on the garage that had the Duesy and the Rolls. When he paid that bill, they applied that money to a bill he owed on another garage, one storing lesser cars that they *conveniently* forgot to bill him for.
Then they sell a car worth nearly a million dollars to Jay Leno for $180,000? I don’ t buy it. Why would the garage company give the car away? They’re huge Leno fans?! C’mon! Somebody paid somebody off hoping that by making it look like the car wasn’t worth that much the family wouldn’t pursue it. Leno and the Garage both appear to be in on a very scummy deal. The guy who “shot himself” was in on it too, as he ended up with the Rolls for less than it was worth. But he ain’t talking now is he…
storage facility in indianapolis auctions contents of storage units when the bill goes unpaid. A lucky buyer paid two hundred dollars and found a mercedes benz under piles of clothing. Should the previous owner get his car back? Laws are made to protect businesses from losses. Lucky buyers make out.