Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (2025)

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Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (1)

Danny Koker, Kevin Mack and Mike Henry of Counting Cars (Counting Cars Official Facebook)

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By KIMBER LAUX LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

May 10, 2016 - 9:13 pm

Updated November 28, 2017 - 4:40 pm

Count’s Kustoms, a Las Vegas auto shop with a reality TV series on the History Channel, claims a former employee used more than $75,000 of the company’s money to cover personal expenses.

In a lawsuit filed in March, the hot rod and motorcycle restoration and customization company featured in the “Counting Cars” series accuses former employee Joseph Frontiera of using the business’ money to make a down payment on his personal Land Rover Range Rover and buy airline tickets for personal use.

He also failed to pay the company’s taxes on time, resulting in an IRS penalty of about $18,000, the lawsuit claims.

See Also
What happened between Danny Koker and Ryan Evans?The Untold Truth Of 'Counting Cars' Star - Danny KokerWhat happened to Horny Mike on 'Counting Cars'?What Did Danny from Counting Cars Get Sentenced for?

The complaint also accuses Randstad Professionals, a Delaware-based hiring firm, of referring Frontiera for a job that would put him in charge of company assets without disclosing his employment history, “which included prior charges of embezzlement when he was in a position of such access.”

Without consulting his bosses at Count’s Kustoms, “Frontiera had signature stamps made of Daniel N. Koker II and Kevin Mack for the purpose of stamping checks in their absence,” the lawsuit reads.

Koker, who dons dark-framed sunglasses, a bandanna and a company shirt with cut-off sleeves in the show, has managed the business for 15 years. Mack, Koker’s co-star and best friend according to the show’s website, helps find cars to restore and sell.

Las Vegas Justice Court records show that Frontiera was charged in September with felony theft of more than $3,500 for a crime that happened in August 2013. A warrant for Frontiera’s arrest was issued but has not been served because he is living in Florida, said Steven Mack, the attorney representing Count’s Kustoms in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Frontiera began working for the company in June 2013.

“Frontiera represented himself as a qualified employee without negative employment history or criminal history,” the lawsuit states.

After Count’s Kustoms began finding “irregularities in its accounting as well as some of the clients’ accounts and projects,” according to the lawsuit, the company did its own background check on Frontiera and found that he had a criminal history of embezzlement and fraud with a past employer in Florida.

Attorneys for Randstad are counter-suing the custom vehicle shop on grounds that the allegations made by Count’s Kustoms lack factual support. The hiring firm also claims that its contract with Count’s Kustoms “expressly prohibited” the shop from allowing Frontiera to handle cash or credit card transactions and giving him the authority to transfer or disburse funds.

Frontiera’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the Count’s Kustoms case Tuesday.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Follow her on Twitter: @lauxkimber

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Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000 (2025)

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Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000? ›

Las Vegas auto shop with reality TV show claims ex-employee stole $75,000. Count's Kustoms, a Las Vegas auto shop with a reality TV show on the History Channel, claims in a lawsuit that a former employee used more than $75,000 of the company's money to cover personal expenses. Don't miss the big stories.

Get More Info Here ›
What is the show car restoration in Las Vegas? ›

On the HISTORY series Counting Cars, Danny and his team restore, customize and sell cars in a hurry, scrambling to keep their Las Vegas shop in the black. From classics to exotics, from hotrods to choppers, Danny and the crew of Count's Kustoms will stop at nothing to find and flip the greatest rides of all time.

Discover More Details ›
How much money does Danny have from Counting Cars? ›

Counting Cars and his jump to Reality-TV fame

Alongside his show, Koker also has more business ventures, which is why the Net-worth of this car and gospel professional is $13 Million.

Continue Reading ›
Does Danny the Count have a wife? ›

Read More ›
Who got caught stealing on Counting Cars? ›

In a lawsuit filed in March, the hot rod and motorcycle restoration and customization company featured in the “Counting Cars” series accuses former employee Joseph Frontiera of using the business' money to make a down payment on his personal Land Rover Range Rover and buy airline tickets for personal use.

Read On ›
How fake was Counting Cars? ›

The Counting Cars Show is a production and it is scripted, directed and rehearsed. Nothing is spur of the moment or real time "reality".

Read On ›
Why is Danny called the count? ›

Danny's nickname, the Count, is from his horror hosting days when he hosted Saturday Fright at the Movies as Count Cool Rider.

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What is the famous car show in Las Vegas? ›

A celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation, Concours at Wynn Las Vegas brings car enthusiasts from around the world to revel in automotive excellence against the dynamic backdrop of The Strip.

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What is the Vegas TV show about cars? ›

Meet Chop, aka "The King of Cars" who runs a mega successful auto empire in Vegas. 80% of his sales come from The Chop Show, a cult infomercial where his salesmen dress in wacky costumes as ...

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What is the TV show about restoring Mopars? ›

Graveyard Carz is an American automotive reality TV show made on location in Springfield, Oregon that restores the late 1960s/early 1970s Mopar muscle cars. Their shop motto is "It's Mopar or No Car".

Learn More Now ›

How fake is Counting Cars? ›

Not even Danny, so why he is still there is a mystery. The Counting Cars Show is a production and it is scripted, directed and rehearsed. Nothing is spur of the moment or real time "reality". There is just too much at stake with advertisers and network ratings to allow for an embarrassing gaff.

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What did Danny from Counts Kustoms father do for a living? ›

Having grown up with a father (Daniel Koker Sr.) that excelled as a musician, singer and composer, it is no wonder that the talented vocalist followed in the same footsteps.

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Does Danny still own Count's Kustoms? ›

The owner and king of Count's Kustoms, Danny is the creative force behind each project. He's is a self-taught mechanic who grew up in Cleveland and Detroit and whose family worked for Ford. Danny's been successfully running his business for over 20 years and is a car—and bike–buying machine.

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What was Danny's band from Counting Cars? ›

Count's 77 is a hard rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. It was formed by legendary Danny "The Count" Koker, titular star of Counting Cars, the History Channel spinoff of Pawn Stars.

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