http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png http://jalopnik.com/tag/doug hasty http://jalopnik.com/tag/doug hasty

Though Unique Performance the company may be dead, the drama lives on. At least until Doug Hasty goes to jail, if that's what ends up happening. We mentioned earlier that an auction of Unique Performance equipment netted more than a million dollars, which was unfortunately only enough to cover taxes and not screwed over employees. But wait, there's some hope. More items are going up for auction for a second round. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=389541&view=rss&microfeed=true

Monday we reported that the feds weren't pursuing Unique Performance in the ongoing Unique Performance drama. We had some guesses for why federal prosecutors might pass on this particular case given the fact that a spokesperson said that federal crimes were obviously committed. Our best guess was that they looked at the 25 state felony charges against the company and decided it wasn't worth it. Our source sort of confirms this below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=381086&view=rss&microfeed=true

An update on the Unique Performance saga, it turns out that the U.S. Attorney's office in Dallas will not be prosecuting Doug Hasty or the company, saying "Even though federal crimes have been committed" they're not going to pursue them. Though they haven't given a reason why, we've got a couple of guesses. The most obvious is that it would be redundant given the 25 felony charges against Unique Performance submitted by local prosecutors, who are apparently still vigorously pursuing the cars. Slightly less likely, federal prosecutors agreed to back off if Hasty and company agreed to a plea bargain. Another real possibility is that the U.S. Attorneys office would rather be pursuing political corruption or terrorism cases than some crooked carmaker whose assets have been auctioned off. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379473&view=rss&microfeed=true

Because Unique Performance declared bankruptcy and had debts outstanding, what was left in the UP warehouse was auctioned off this weekend. The hope was that, after the $900K went to the government there would be some left over for the 140 individuals with claims (including 40 employees owed back-pay). According to our source and records on the auction company's website, the auction netted approximately $1.037 million, leaving $137K after the IRS took their cut, which means $978 per person... before lawyers. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=373216&view=rss&microfeed=true

We have a tip from a former employee of Unique Performance, one of the ones Unique Performance owes back pay to, that the company's numerous assets will be going up for auction to cover the approximately $900,000 owed to the IRS after they filed for Bankruptcy. Well, the assets not needed as evidence in the 25 felony charges against Unique Performance. Among things going on the block are more than one hundred 1967-69 Shelby Mustangs in various conditions (some with original titles). More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364774&view=rss&microfeed=true

Another development in the Unique Performance drama, as CBS-11 is reporting that the Farmers Branch PD has finished their investigation and submitted 25 felony charges against Unique Performance to the Dallas County District Attorney. The nature of these charges aren't clear, but they likely have to do with fraud and title washing. We've also learned that the U.S. Secret Service has three suspects. What this all means below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=361333&view=rss&microfeed=true

Just when we thought there would be a break from the Unique Performance Saga, we get word that things were even more rotten in the city of Farmers Branch. First, an investigation by CBS11-TV has turned up solid evidence that unskilled Texas prisoners were used to do the bodywork on the replica "Eleanor" Mustangs, including removing the VIN plates (which is illegal). Second, the poorly built cars cost upwards of $200,000 yet were built using approximately 13 gallons of Bondo each. Third, the U.S. Secret Service and Texas Department of Public Safety (state police) have launched investigations. Fourth, this may impact the way the prison system work program is implemented. Finally, according to authorities charges are imminent (probably fraud and title-washing to start). More pictures from the evidence locker (everything comes from Taiwan), a statement from Unique Performance owner Doug Hasty's lawyer and a quick primer for those that haven't been following the case below the jump.
More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=359986&view=rss&microfeed=true

Many people have read All The President's Men, which covers the investigation into the Watergate scandal that eventually forced President Nixon to resign. Less people have read Final Days, the sequel, which chronicles the final months of the administration and the eventual decision to step down. But those who have read that novel will undoubtedly see similarities between that tale of executive confusion and misdirection and what's been going on at Unique Performance, which until recently was creating ersatz Elanores for wealthy car collectors. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=336789&view=rss&microfeed=true

The ongoing Unique Performance saga continues, with Chip Foose and Foose Design joining Shelby as ex-partners. Not only is the company jumping ship, it's also considering legal action against Unique Performance. No one has gone to jail yet, but property has been seized and it looks like it's heading that way. Calls to Unique Performance Owner Doug Hasty (pictured here with Foose) have not been returned. Full release after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=321480&view=rss&microfeed=true