Seized C5 Corvette in New York to be Auctioned

Crime definitely didn’t pay for a Batavia, N.Y., man who is in state prison and lost his 1999 Corvette convertible to the Genesee County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Department after being convicted of drug crimes.

But crime WILL pay for the local Drug Task Force, which will get the proceeds from the sale of the Corvette through a County Highway Department online auction next month.

The black over silver convertible has just 28,000 miles on the odometer and is in excellent condition, worth about $18,000 according to Kelly Blue Book. Bidding will start at $15,500.

This week’s decision by the Genesee County Legislature to declare the C5 Corvette as surplus property was naturally reluctant. After all, who wants to give up a nice Corvette?

In fact, Legislature Chairman Raymond Cianfrini drew laughs from other lawmakers when he said “reluctantly yes” on the vote to dispose of the Corvette through the auction.

“I thought we should have kept this vehicle for county purposes,” he quipped during last week’s meeting of the County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee.

“I’m all for it, Ray,” fellow lawmaker Andrew Young joked. “I don’t see a problem with it at all.”

The ’99 was one of two Corvettes owned by 47-year-old Anthony A. Leone, who won’t be driving anything for a while after being sentenced to 18 months in state prison and one year of post-release supervision. Judge Robert C. Noonan also ordered Leone into shock incarceration, similar to military boot camp. His time behind bars can be sliced if he finishes that program.

Leone was driving the ’99 when he was stopped on Sept. 15, 2014 by Village Police Officer Jarod Dent, who found crack cocaine, five different kinds of controlled substances, and a crack pipe in the car.

After Dent contacted the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force, the Corvette was seized immediately.

Leone was originally charged with seven counts but eventually reached a plea bargain in Genesee County Court, pleading guilty to fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony.

“As a result of the disposition of the case he forfeited the Corvette during court proceedings,” Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy of Investigations Jerome Brewster said.

If you’re interested in buying the Corvette, the online auction is Oct. 6-13, with the link to bid at www.teitsworth.com.

You can see the car at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, 165 Park Road and by contacting Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster at (585) 345-3000, Ext. 3503.

The police agencies that make up the Drug Task Force will split the proceeds from the sale of the Corvette.

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