Former Sonoma Valley car dealer and local businessman Adam Kovacs is due in Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa today to enter a plea on a stack of criminal charges alleging grand theft, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds. Prosecutors filed the case last month, tying the counts to transactions at his now-closed Kovacs Motors dealership. Kovacs has previously told reporters he denies any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors say Kovacs faces 12 felony counts and two misdemeanors, with the alleged misconduct centering on vehicle sales in which state sales tax and DMV title and registration fees were never sent in. According to the Sonoma Index‑Tribune, the charges stem from 11 vehicle sales between September 2024 and May 2025.
Court documents reviewed by the Marin Independent Journal allege Kovacs took about $53,000 from one customer, identified in filings as Brian Olsen, and also include a misdemeanor charge accusing him of failing to transfer title and registration on six vehicles in 2023. After an earlier hearing, Kovacs told reporters, “I’m not a criminal,” according to the paper.
Prosecutors Seek Enhancements For Planning And Abuse Of Trust
Sonoma County prosecutors have filed special allegations that could raise the stakes if Kovacs is convicted. The filings argue the alleged crimes involved planning and sophistication and that Kovacs abused a position of trust. As reported by the Sonoma Index‑Tribune, those sentencing enhancements would increase potential penalties if a judge or jury finds the additional facts proven.
Dealership Closed And Local Business Ties
Kovacs Motors in Boyes Hot Springs shut its doors in May 2025, ending the run of a dealership that had been a familiar sight along the highway. Kovacs is also known locally for owning Sonoma Fit gyms and other commercial ventures, the Marin Independent Journal reports. The closure and the criminal case have fueled questions about whether customers and the state will ultimately recover any unpaid taxes and fees.
Hearing Details
Kovacs is scheduled to enter his plea at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Lynnette Brown at Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa, according to KZST. The session is expected to be an early procedural step that may include arraignment and the scheduling of future motions…