A Suwanee mechanic has been indicted on RICO charges in Gwinnett County after being accused of preying on people in addiction recovery and scamming them out of thousands of dollars.
The indictment, which was signed July 24, accuses Aaron Hayes of “acquiring money and property through a pattern of racketeering” between April and November 2023.
According to the indictment and police reports , the mechanic promised men and women getting out of addiction rehab help with purchasing cheap cars on manageable monthly payment plans. But, according to the indictment, after individuals sent Hayes money — sometimes thousands of dollars — he never delivered the cars, many of which were older and required much work to be functional.
“Shortly after starting the venture, Hayes could not pay his helpers, could not pay rent, and could not deliver on his promises, and started using the funds given to him to pay off other loans received,” the indictment says.
It alleges Hayes stole over $70,000 and lists a total of 22 purported victims.