When it comes to off-field drama, few stories can top the recent case involving the infamous Pontiac Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions. The stadium, which once echoed with the roars of Lions fans, found itself at the center of a legal scandal involving the notorious Dieselgate affair.
In 2017, the deteriorating Pontiac Silverdome was chosen as an impromptu storage yard for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles recalled due to the Dieselgate emissions scandal. The vast parking lot provided ample space but proved to be far from secure. This vulnerability was exploited by Romane Porter and his accomplices, leading to the theft of 61 cars.
Porter, a Michigan man, orchestrated an elaborate scheme to steal these vehicles and transport them out of state for sale. His illegal activities did not go unnoticed for long. In April, Porter was convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles and the transportation of stolen vehicles. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood sentenced him to 97 months in prison along with a restitution payment of $683,080.
Michael Gauthier from Carscoops provides insight into the case, stating, “Porter and Daniel Onorati conspired with others to steal dozens of vehicles from the Silverdome over six months in 2017. These vehicles would then be transported out of Michigan, where they were sold.” The sophisticated nature of the theft underscores the vulnerabilities in the unmonitored storage of high-value assets.
Ironically, Romane Porter’s sentence exceeded that of Oliver Schmidt, former general manager of Volkswagen AG’s U.S. Environment and Engineering Office, who had a significant role in the Dieselgate emissions scandal. Schmidt was sentenced to just 84 months in prison and a $400,000 fine in 2017. The stark contrast in their penalties highlights the severe repercussions for orchestrating theft.
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, pointed out during the trial, “The sentencing of Romane Porter sends a stark reminder that those individuals who conspire to commit fraud and theft will face the highest penalties under the law.” Gibson expressed gratitude towards the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit for their diligence in uncovering and disrupting the scheme.
The case of Romane Porter is a somber reminder of the Silverdome’s fall from glory, transitioning from a hallowed sports venue to a backdrop for criminal activity. As the stadium of so many historic Lions games, the Silverdome remains etched in the memories of Detroit fans, now tinged with an off-field saga they won't soon forget.
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Dieselgate Thief Gets 8 Years For Stealing 61 Cars From Former Home Of Detroit Lions from Michael Gauthier, Carscoops