Joseph Cipolla Jr. is accused of defrauding the government out of pandemic relief funding and misleading customers into paying more than needed for cars and planes.
According to the Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cipolla also engaged in fraudulent activities by not filing his federal income taxes for six years in a row.
Cipolla’s complex schemes always centered on exploiting people and robbing them of their money.
An enduring part of Cipolla’s persona was the Latin term “Caveat Emptor,” meaning “Buyer Beware.” He lived the high life, fueled by his gambling and drug addiction, in his enormous estate and fleet of fancy automobiles. His defense attorney is arguing for a seven-year jail term, while federal prosecutors are pushing for almost ten years.
The infamous criminal Cipolla is now facing a ten-year jail term after admitting his misdeeds. He had 15 prior convictions and sentences for failing to write enough checks to acquire automobiles.
Cipolla was known to deceive customers in the auto sales industry; he even ran an eBay auto company and illegally obtained an FAA pilot’s certificate. During the epidemic, he sought loans from the Paycheck Protection Program totaling more than $1.35 million, which he subsequently used to acquire a lavish Bloomingdale mansion.
In April 2022, his schemes resulted in federal tax charges. The prosecution contended that Cipolla’s history of evading authorities warrants his incarceration.
There was a terrible occurrence in 2017, and many questions remain unanswered. Tragically, 46-year-old Evanston resident Jeffery Charles Fox plummeted from the balcony of Cipolla’s penthouse in a posh Chicago skyscraper overlooking Lake Michigan.
Following an investigation, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Fox’s death was accidental.
Cipolla was ordered to surrender to federal marshals in November 2022 after admitting to taking cocaine after being stopped by police for driving over the speed limit. His apprehension led to his detention without bail.
Cipolla apologized in court, admitting his selfishness and greed were to blame for his conduct.