Former San Diego car dealer pleads guilty to hiding drug money

The former owner of a San Diego car dealership pleaded guilty Thursday to trying to conceal $719,000 in cash from a drug trafficker as payment for a Ferrari, a Porsche and two Lamborghinis.

John Frank Mussari Jr., 48, former owner of Mussari Motors Inc., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade a law requiring disclosure of cash transactions exceeding $10,000.

He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced in San Diego federal court on Dec. 5.

The name of the drug trafficker was not released by prosecutors.

When Mussari was arrested, he was trying to leave the drug trafficker’s home in a Lamborghini, according to prosecutors. Agents found nearly $205,000 in cash in the car.

The drug trafficker purchased the cars over a four-month period, according to court documents.

As part of his guilty plea, Mussari admitted receiving $132,000 for a Ferrari, $147,000 for a Porsche, and $115,000 and $205,000 each for two Lamborghini. He also admitted receiving other cash payments.

In April, Mussari pleaded guilty in San Diego County Superior Court to eight counts of defrauding customers and was ordered to pay restitution. The charges involved claims that Mussari bought luxury cars, resold them and then failed to reimburse the original owner.

Mussari Motors is no longer in business, according to the Better Business Bureau.