Ex-MLB All-Star Dykstra Indicted On Grand Theft Auto Charges
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Three-time All-Star outfielder Lenny Dykstra was indicted on Monday on 25 criminal counts for allegedly trying to lease cars using phony business and credit information.
The 48-year-old former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder was charged in U.S. District Court in April with bankruptcy fraud for allegedly selling property from his $18 million mansion in Ventura County.
Dykstra is charged with eight counts of filing false financial statements, five counts of attempted grand theft auto, four counts of identity theft and three counts each of grand theft auto and possession of a controlled substance. All of those charges are felonies.
An arraignment is set for Monday in San Fernando Superior Court on the new charges, which include 23 felony counts.
Dykstra is charged along with his accountant, Robert Hymers, 27, and a friend, Christopher Gavanis, 30, on allegations that they tried to lease high-end vehicles from several area dealerships by providing false information and claiming credit through a phony business, Home Free Systems.
Dykstra and Hymers allegedly provided information at two dealerships from a man — who had not authorized his name to be used — who they claimed was a co-signer, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The three allegedly drove off with cars from one company by providing false information, while leases were not approved at two other dealerships.
During a search warrant served at Dykstra's Encino home in connection with his arrest April 14, Los Angeles police detectives allegedly found cocaine and Ecstasy, along with the synthetic human growth hormone Somatropin, according to the District Attorney's Office.
He also is charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and unauthorized possession of a syringe.
If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Hymers is charged with 17 felony counts, including grand theft auto and identity theft, while Gavanis is charged with six felony counts, including grand theft auto and false financial statements.
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