The Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in Downtown Fresno. File photo

A former Clovis auto dealer was arraigned in federal court Monday on a nine-count indictment charging him with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, Scott Radtke, 56, owned California Motoring Company, a car dealership in Clovis.

Beginning as early as January 2016, and continuing through June 2017, the U.S. Attorney said Radtke executed a scheme to defraud banks. When customers wanted to buy vehicles that Radtke’s dealership did not have in its inventory, he offered customers the opportunity to buy them from other dealerships.

He allegedly received up-front payments from the customers or their banks, but did not give that money to the other dealerships. Instead, he allegedly spent it on business and personal expenses.

Radtke then signed the customers’ names on sale documents and loan applications, which led banks to issue loans without the customers’ knowledge or authorization.

His actions involved at least 48 vehicles and more than $2 million in fraudulently obtained goods and funds.

He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted, though the final sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court.