RD Whittington

Key Points

• RD Whittington, a luxury car dealer and star of the reality show “Million Dollar Wheels,” has been implicated in multiple fraudulent activities, including check fraud and illegal vehicle sales.

• His business, Wires Only, operated without proper licenses or permits in Beverly Hills, leading to its eviction from multiple locations.

• Whittington faces over a dozen lawsuits, including a significant $11 million judgment, for breach of contract, fraud, and theft.

• Allegations include leasing high-end vehicles and selling them without legal ownership, resulting in recovered stolen cars.

• His reputation is severely damaged, with ongoing investigations by the Beverly Hills Police Department and multiple legal and financial troubles.

Overview

RD Whittington is a luxury car dealer based in Los Angeles, known for his company Wires Only and his role on the Discovery Plus reality series “Million Dollar Wheels.” The show highlighted his dealings with high-profile clients, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, and J Balvin, for exotic and customized vehicles. Whittington positioned himself as a broker for the ultra-rich, specializing in high-end cars with price tags up to $2.3 million. However, his business practices have come under intense scrutiny, revealing a pattern of alleged fraud, mismanagement, and illegal operations.

Allegations and Concerns

• Check Fraud Arrest: Whittington was arrested on September 10, 2024, by Beverly Hills Police on a Nevada warrant for felony fraud, accused of passing a check with insufficient funds valued at $1,200 or greater. He reportedly owed the MGM Grand Casino $13,525, which he paid post-arrest, leading to case dismissal.

• Illegal Vehicle Sales: Three auto lessors accused Whittington of leasing luxury vehicles (e.g., Ferrari 488, Brabus Mercedes G-Wagon, Rolls-Royce Cullinan) and selling them without permission. These vehicles were recovered as stolen after investigations by private detective Matthew DeLisio.

• Unlicensed Operations: Wires Only operated without a business license, DMV license, or conditional use permit in Beverly Hills from 2022 until mid-2024. The dealership also failed to pay business taxes, leading to city prosecutor action.

• Breach of Contract and Fraud: A lawsuit by Irvine resident Lin Zhang alleges Whittington sold a 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan for $321,315 without transferring title or registration, falsely claiming a manufacturer warranty. The car’s legal ownership is questioned.

• Ongoing Police Investigation: The Beverly Hills Police Department is investigating Whittington for fraud, potentially linked to illegal vehicle sales, though details remain undisclosed due to the active investigation.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is overwhelmingly negative, with no significant positive reviews found in recent reports:

• Negative Feedback: Lin Zhang’s lawsuit claims, “Mr. Zhang purchased this vehicle from RD Whittington and Wires Only, paid in full, and then we found out it appears neither RD Whittington or Wires Only had the right to sell the car.” Zhang’s attorney, Michael Klitzke, added, “They didn’t actually pay taxes and license fees and registration fees at the DMV like they were supposed to.”

• Lakers Player Lawsuit: NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie sued Wires Only, alleging the company failed to honor an agreement to sell his Ferrari SF90 Spider only if his Mustang was sold, resulting in a $350,000 deposit loss. Whittington denied involvement, but the lawsuit persists.

• Vehicle Misrepresentation: A Brabus Mercedes G-Wagon owner stated, “It was never a Brabus 700… all that stuff was just a façade,” after recovering the vehicle in poor condition with 13,500 additional miles.No positive customer reviews were identified, likely due to Whittington’s high-profile legal troubles overshadowing any prior client satisfaction.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Whittington faces significant financial liabilities, including an $11 million judgment from three lawsuits and potential further penalties from ongoing cases. His failure to pay rent led to evictions from Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles locations.

• Reputational Risk: Whittington’s public image is tarnished by his arrest, lawsuits, and allegations of fraud, undermining his credibility as a luxury car dealer. His association with celebrities may no longer shield him from negative publicity.

• Legal Risk: With over a dozen lawsuits, an active police investigation, and prior felony charges, Whittington faces substantial legal exposure, including potential criminal penalties and civil judgments.

• Operational Risk: Wires Only’s website was deactivated in December 2024, and the business is no longer operational in its former locations, indicating a collapse of its operational framework.

Business Relations and Associations

• Celebrity Clients: Whittington worked with high-profile figures like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Travis Barker, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Leonardo DiCaprio, leveraging these connections for his reality show and business promotion.

• Wires Only Team: The reality show featured other dealers like Chadwick Hopkins and Melissa D. Perry, though their current involvement is unclear. Hopkins was named in Dinwiddie’s lawsuit but denied acting on Wires Only’s behalf.

• Legal Representation: Former Beverly Hills planning commissioner Hamid Gabbay represented Wires Only in Planning Commission hearings for a conditional use permit, which was denied in June 2024.

• Landlord Issues: Landlord Tony Shooshani is evicting Whittington from the Sepulveda Boulevard location for unpaid rent, indicating strained business relationships.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits: Whittington faces at least 12 lawsuits, including:

  • Three lawsuits resulting in an $11 million judgment in August 2024, based on an Arizona sister-state judgment.

  • Lin Zhang’s lawsuit for breach of contract, fraud, and civil theft over a Rolls-Royce sale.

  • Spencer Dinwiddie’s lawsuit over a $1.05 million Ferrari transaction.

• Arrest Record: Arrested on September 10, 2024, for felony fraud (check fraud) in Nevada, released after paying $13,525 to MGM Grand Casino.

• Unpaid Debts: Failure to pay rent at the Sepulveda Boulevard location and business taxes in Beverly Hills.

• Business Violations: Operated Wires Only without required licenses or permits, leading to city action and permit denial.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No public bankruptcy filings were identified, but financial distress is evident from lawsuits and evictions.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

RD Whittington’s business empire, built on luxury car sales and celebrity connections, has collapsed under the weight of fraudulent practices and legal battles. His arrest for check fraud, coupled with allegations of selling leased vehicles without ownership, paints a picture of systemic deceit. The recovery of stolen vehicles and lawsuits from high-profile clients like Spencer Dinwiddie underscore the severity of his misconduct. Whittington’s unlicensed operations further demonstrate a disregard for regulatory compliance, eroding any remaining trust.

Pros: None significant. Whittington’s prior success with celebrities is irrelevant given his current legal and financial ruin.

Cons: Whittington’s business is non-operational, his reputation is destroyed, and he faces substantial legal and financial liabilities. Ongoing investigations may lead to further charges.

Cautionary Advice: Avoid any business dealings with RD Whittington or Wires Only. Potential clients, partners, or investors should steer clear due to the high risk of fraud, financial loss, and legal entanglement. Verify vehicle ownership and title status independently before engaging with any luxury car dealer.

Key Citations

• TMZ: “’Million Dollar Wheels’ RD Whittington Arrested on Felony Fraud Charge,” September 11, 2024.

• Beverly Press: “Wires Only auto dealer arrested in Beverly Hills,” September 19, 2024.

• Beverly Press: “Cars sold by Whittington found by investigators,” December 12, 2024.

• Los Angeles Times: “Lakers guard sues ‘Million Dollar Wheels’ car dealer over $1-million Ferrari purchase,” June 11, 2024.

• Beverly Press: “BHPD investigating RD Whittington,” October 17, 2024.