DOVER — A Strafford County Superior Court jury found Said Yahyapour, 68, of Stratham, guilty by of 32 felony charges for stealing $89,000 from customers of his former car dealership, Kia of Somersworth, according to the New Hampshire attorney general .
Yahyapour sold extended warranty contracts and insurance policies to his customers in 2016 and 2017. But he did not transfer the money, as required, to Portfolio Holding Inc. to fund the policies and ensure the customers received the coverage. Instead, he "kept the money to fund other obligations of the dealership," according to Attorney General John Formella.
The 32 counts of theft by misapplication of property are Class A felonies, each punishable by up to 7½ to 15 years in New Hampshire State Prison and a fine of up to $4,000.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yahyapour owned and operated Kia of Somersworth between 2008 and 2018, according to Formella. He said the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of his office investigated Yahyapour after the dealership closed.
Yahyapour is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. on Nov. 19 in Strafford County Superior Court.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Da...