According to recent news from AP News, Max Weinberg is suing a car restoration company in Florida, claiming they didn’t deliver on a promise to restore a 1957 Mercedes-Benz and used his $125,000 for personal expenses.
Weinberg filed a lawsuit in Palm Beach County, asking $375,000 from Arthur Siegle and his family, who run Investment Automotive Group Inc. The documents revealed that the company falsely claimed they could repair a Mercedes-Benz 190SL roadster with serious damage and rust, receiving a $125,000 deposit from the drummer three years ago.
An Explanation From Weinberg’s Attorney
An investigation by law enforcement suggested that Weinberg’s deposit was not used for the car’s restoration. Instead, the money reportedly went into personal credit card payments and personal accounts.
While no criminal charges were brought against the Siegles, Weinberg’s attorney, Valentin Rodriguez, made a statement on Tuesday, saying:
“I guess they figured he’s Max Weinberg, million-dollar drummer for Bruce Springsteen, Mighty Max. He can afford to lose $125,000. [Siegle] thought he could pull the wool over the eyes of someone who is pretty well-known and wealthy, but Max wasn’t just going to sit down and take it.”
The Details Of The Story
The whole situation started in April 2021 when Weinberg reached out to the Siegles about a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL. This model, a sought-after convertible produced from 1955 to 1963, was supposedly being restored by them.
The drummer wanted a car he could showcase in Concours-level shows, where vehicles are judged for authenticity and condition. The Siegles assured him their restoration would produce a top-notch, ‘work of art’ Mercedes.
Based on this, Weinberg paid $125,000 as a down payment on the total price of $225,000, with the remainder due upon completion. But he grew concerned and hired Pierre Hedary, an expert in car restoration, to check the vehicle at the Siegles’ shop.
The Restoration Company’s Scam
The expert’s findings were not promising. He found significant rust, bad welds, signs of past accidents, and more. He even noted that the car was not a 1957 model as claimed but a 1956.
In his report, included in the lawsuit, Hedary indicated that the restored car could be drivable and visually appealing to most people, but it would not meet the standards of top car shows. He valued the car at about $120,000 after restoration, half of what the Siegles had claimed it would be worth.
When Weinberg couldn’t get a refund, he took legal action, filing a complaint with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
