Court Awards $95K To Ferrari Owner Whose Car Was Seized, Auctioned Off After DWI Arrest

There must be something in the air today, as luxury cars are making news headlines left and right: Joining the mysterious, abandoned Lamborghini in the news spotlight is the owner of a Ferrari who successfully sued after police seized and auctioned off his car after a DWI arrest in 2009.

A New York man who coincidentally shares his name with the luxury sports car manufacturer was pulled over for speeding and suspicion of driving while intoxicated back in 2009, reports the New York Post.

Police impounded the 2003 Ferrari Modena, and kept it, despite the owner’s fight to get his car returned. A a Suffolk County judicial officer ruled in favor of the police, according to court papers, saying they had probable cause to keep the Ferrari.

Forfeiture proceedings followed, and the man had to surrender the title to the car in 2012 as part of a settlement. The vehicle was later auctioned off for an undisclosed sum by the county.

He then took his case to federal court, claiming the car was worth $110,000 and the county had no right to sell his property. A judge agreed, and a jury has now awarded him $95,000.

“I’m very happy that it’s done with,” the man told the NYP. ‘The government taking people’s property isn’t right.”

Broker named Ferrari awarded $95K after cops ‘stole’ his Ferrari [New York Post]

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