Car broker pleads guilty to larceny prior to trial
A car dealer with a lengthy history of larceny convictions pleaded guilty Thursday to writing bad checks to purchase classic Chevrolet cars from two area residents. The plea comes as he was about to go on trial in New London Superior Court.
Steven M. Shapiro, 64, formerly of Southbury, will be sentenced Aug. 17 to up to five years in prison followed by five years of probation.
State police and Ledyard police alleged that in the summer of 2015, Shapiro, acting as a broker for a Plainville business called International Motorcars and International Motor Car Classics, wrote bad checks for a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1969 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport.
A jury had assembled in New London Superior Court when Shapiro accepted a plea deal worked out between his attorney, Jerome W. Paun, and prosecutor Paul J. Narducci. Under the agreement, Paun has the right to argue before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein for a reduced sentence, which also is contingent on whether Shapiro produces about $60,000 to repay the victims.
Shapiro has a history of larceny convictions covering several states and dating back to 1985, according to the state.
He has been free on bonds totaling $85,000 while his case was pending. Following his arrest, Strackbein placed Shapiro on electronic monitoring, told him he could write only certified checks or money orders and ordered him to tell any prospective clients of his criminal record and the pending charges.
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