Sonny Martorana

Key Points

• Sonny Martorana, a Montreal-based used car dealer, is linked to a vehicle involved in a 2015 crash with NHL player Zack Kassian, raising questions about his business practices.

• His dealership, Auto 8000, was implicated in a 2008 RCMP investigation into a fraudulent used car scheme involving odometer tampering and misrepresentation of vehicle conditions.

• Martorana is the son of the late Tony Martorana, an alleged associate of the Rizzuto crime family, which casts a shadow over his business dealings.

• Allegations include selling stolen or tampered vehicles and maintaining ties to organized crime, though no direct convictions against Sonny Martorana are documented in the provided sources.

• The lack of recent consumer reviews limits insight into current operations, but historical complaints highlight issues with vehicle quality and transparency.

Overview

Sonny Martorana is a Montreal-based entrepreneur operating in the used car industry, primarily through Auto 8000, a dealership in Saint-Leonard, Quebec. His business focuses on selling pre-owned vehicles, but it has faced scrutiny for alleged fraudulent practices. Martorana gained public attention following a 2015 incident where a truck registered to his dealership was involved in a crash with Montreal Canadiens player Zack Kassian. The dealership has also been linked to a 2008 RCMP investigation targeting fraudulent used car dealers in Montreal. Martorana’s familial connection to Tony Martorana, an alleged Rizzuto crime family associate, has fueled speculation about his business’s ties to organized crime, though no direct evidence confirms his personal involvement in such activities.

Allegations and Concerns

• Fraudulent Practices: In 2008, Auto 8000 was part of an RCMP investigation named Project Octane, which targeted Montreal used car dealerships for odometer tampering, misrepresenting vehicle conditions, and selling stolen or damaged cars as legitimate.

• Connection to Kassian Crash: A Dodge Ram involved in a 2015 crash with NHL player Zack Kassian was registered to Auto 8000, raising questions about the dealership’s due diligence in vehicle transactions. The truck’s operator, Kristin Peca, was not an employee, but the incident spotlighted Martorana’s business.

• Organized Crime Ties: Sonny Martorana is the son of Tony Martorana, who was allegedly linked to the Rizzuto crime family. This connection has led to suspicions that Auto 8000 may serve as a front for illicit activities, though no concrete evidence supports this claim.

• Misrepresentation of Vehicles: The RCMP’s 2008 investigation alleged that dealerships, including Auto 8000, engaged in practices like falsifying vehicle histories and selling cars with undisclosed damage, deceiving customers about safety and value.

Customer Feedback

Direct consumer reviews specific to Sonny Martorana or Auto 8000 are scarce in the provided sources, likely due to the age of the incidents and the lack of recent public complaints. However, the following insights can be inferred:

• Negative Feedback: The 2008 RCMP investigation highlighted consumer harm, with buyers purchasing vehicles that were “stolen, severely damaged, or had their odometers turned back.” One example from the investigation noted customers were “duped into believing they were buying safe, reliable vehicles.”

• Lack of Positive Feedback: No positive reviews or testimonials about Auto 8000 or Martorana’s business practices are documented in the sources, suggesting limited public endorsement of his dealership.

• Public Sentiment: Media coverage, particularly from the National Post, implies distrust in Martorana’s operations due to his familial ties and the Kassian crash, though no direct customer quotes are available.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: Selling tampered or stolen vehicles could lead to financial liabilities, including refunds, fines, or lost business if customers pursue legal action or regulators impose penalties.

• Reputational Risks: Martorana’s association with the Rizzuto family and the 2015 crash damages his credibility, potentially deterring customers and business partners wary of organized crime connections.

• Legal Risks: The 2008 RCMP investigation suggests potential for future legal scrutiny, especially if new evidence of fraud emerges. Martorana’s failure to distance himself from his father’s legacy could invite further investigations.

• Operational Risks: Continued operation in a high-scrutiny industry like used car sales, combined with past allegations, increases the likelihood of regulatory audits or customer lawsuits.

Business Relations and Associations

• Tony Martorana: Sonny’s father, deceased, was an alleged associate of the Rizzuto crime family, a powerful Montreal-based mafia organization. His legacy continues to influence perceptions of Sonny’s business.

• Auto 8000: The dealership, located at 7272 Saint-Leonard Blvd, is Martorana’s primary business entity and was directly implicated in the 2008 RCMP investigation.

• Rizzuto Crime Family: While no direct evidence links Sonny Martorana to criminal activities, his father’s alleged ties to the Rizzuto family, led by figures like Vito Rizzuto, raise concerns about potential indirect connections.

• Kristin Peca: The driver of the truck in the 2015 Kassian crash, not an Auto 8000 employee, but her use of a dealership-registered vehicle brought unwanted attention to Martorana.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 2008 RCMP Investigation (Project Octane): Auto 8000 was among 10 Montreal dealerships investigated for fraud, with 12 individuals charged for selling stolen or tampered vehicles. The operation uncovered $2 million in illicit profits. While specific charges against Martorana are not detailed, his dealership’s involvement suggests legal exposure.

• No Documented Lawsuits: The sources do not mention specific lawsuits against Martorana personally, but the RCMP’s findings indicate potential for civil claims from defrauded customers.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No evidence of bankruptcy filings by Martorana or Auto 8000 is provided, though the dealership’s financial stability could be at risk if legal or reputational issues persist.

• Ongoing Scrutiny: The Kassian crash and Martorana’s familial ties keep his business under public and media scrutiny, increasing the likelihood of future legal challenges.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Sonny Martorana’s business operations, centered around Auto 8000, are marred by serious allegations of fraud and connections to organized crime, primarily through his father’s alleged Rizzuto ties. The 2008 RCMP investigation exposed systemic issues in his dealership’s practices, such as odometer tampering and selling stolen vehicles, which undermine consumer trust. The 2015 Kassian crash, while not directly implicating Martorana in wrongdoing, further tarnished his reputation by linking his business to a high-profile incident. The absence of recent consumer feedback suggests either limited current operations or a low profile, but the lack of positive endorsements is telling.

Pros:

• Martorana operates in a lucrative industry, with used car sales offering high profit margins if conducted ethically.

• No direct convictions or lawsuits against him personally provide some room for plausible deniability regarding criminal involvement.

Cons:

• The 2008 RCMP investigation and familial ties to the Rizzuto family create a persistent cloud of suspicion, deterring legitimate business opportunities.

• Lack of transparency in vehicle sales and past fraud allegations suggest ongoing risks of legal and financial repercussions.

• Limited public information on current operations makes it difficult to assess improvements or reforms in his business practices.

Cautionary Advice: Consumers and business partners should approach dealings with Martorana or Auto 8000 with extreme caution. Verify vehicle histories through independent services like CARFAX and demand full documentation before purchases. Regulators and law enforcement should monitor the dealership for compliance, given its history. Potential partners should conduct thorough due diligence to avoid entanglement with organized crime or fraudulent schemes.

Key Citations

• National Post, “The truck in Canadiens’ Kassian crash has links to dealership owned by son of former Rizzuto associate,” October 14, 2015.

• Montreal Gazette, “12 charged in used-car fraud,” February 6, 2008.

• Canada.ca, “Alleged crooked used car dealers caught by RCMP,” February 6, 2008.