An impressive group of classic muscle cars, seized by the FBI and known as the “blood-money collection,” comes up for auction September 12 at the U.S. Marshall Service’s facility in Lodi, New Jersey.
The nine-car collection includes rare and valuable models, such as a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro 427 COPO, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 and a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi Superbird. The estimated collective value for all the cars ranges as high as $5 million.
The bizarre story behind the cars arriving at a forfeiture auction reflects a morality tale of greed and excess.
Before the FBI shut down David Nicoll’s fraudulent medical company, which bribed doctors to prescribe unnecessary blood tests, the New Jersey man had built a multi-million-dollar fortune and lived a lavish lifestyle that included luxury homes, private jets, premium seats at sporting events, strip clubs and expensive classic cars.
Through his company, Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services, LLC, Nicoll and his cohorts funneled more than $100 million of illegal business by paying off local doctors to send their patients for the unneeded tests. As company president, Nicoll reportedly pocketed the lion’s share of the proceeds, which he used to fund his over-the-top activities, such as buying his own “gentlemen’s club,” hundreds of thousands of dollars in tickets for sporting events, and an expensive luxury home for a girlfriend.
Nicoll, 40, of the affluent New York suburb of Mountain Lakes, and other defendants that included his brother, Scott, pleaded guilty to the federal charges in June 2013 and eventually received prison sentences. As many as 16 physicians were caught up in the criminal net.
As part of his plea, Nicoll agreed to forfeit $50 million worth of his possessions. Now, the FBI and its Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture division are working to sell off the seized assets, including the “blood-money collection” of muscle cars.
Besides the three cars already noted, the feds will sell a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6, 1969 Chevelle Yenko hardtop, 1970 Chevelle convertible, 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova, custom 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 and a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda.
For information about the U.S. Marshal sale, which is being handled by AJ Willner Auctions, see the auction website at www.ajwauctions.com.
