The 7th Gear Exotics lawsuit is a federal civil case in which Exotic Leasing LLC accuses the Groveport, Ohio exotic car rental company and several associates of running a title fraud scheme involving more than 48 luxury supercars worth over $10 million. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the case remains active as of mid-2026, with a status conference held in June 2026 and no trial date set.1PACER Monitor. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al
What Exotic Leasing Says Happened
Exotic Leasing LLC says it fronted the money for 7th Gear Exotics to buy exotic cars outright. Under the arrangement, the defendants were supposed to purchase the vehicles, transfer titles and liens to Exotic Leasing, and pay a revenue share on the rental income.2Midpage. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC
That is not what happened, according to the complaint. Exotic Leasing alleges the defendants financed or otherwise secured the vehicles without obtaining clean titles, told the plaintiff the cars had been bought as agreed, and later sold or disposed of them without notice. The complaint calls it a “massive and brazen title fraud operation” carried out through “fabricated documents, false promises, and fraudulent titles.”3Justia. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al The cars named include Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, McLarens, Ferraris, and Porsches, spanning operations in two states.2Midpage. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC
The Claims in Court
The case is Exotic Leasing, LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-03036, assigned to Judge James L. Graham. It is classified as a civil RICO action.1PACER Monitor. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al
Exotic Leasing’s claims include:
- Civil RICO under 18 U.S.C. ยง 1962(c) and (d), alleging an organized pattern of fraud
- Fraudulent concealment and fraudulent misrepresentation
- Ohio criminal theft and telecommunications fraud statutes pursued civilly for damages
- Breach of contract against Tiff A. Cook and 7th Gear Exotics
- Unjust enrichment
Although the complaint invokes Ohio criminal statutes, this is a civil suit brought by a private plaintiff. No criminal charges by prosecutors against any of the defendants have been identified in connection with the allegations.4Midpage. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al
Who Is Being Sued
The defendant list has grown over the life of the case. The July 2024 amended complaint named 7th Gear Exotics LLC, Tiff A. Cook, ES Exotics LLC, and Ergi Sulejmani. A fifth original defendant, Saththia Lingan, was terminated from the case on July 18, 2024.5PACER Monitor. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al, Amended Complaint
In May 2025, the court allowed a Second Amended Complaint that added five more defendants: Cunix Automotive Group LLC (doing business as the Toy Barn), Shawn P. Cunix, T Cook Holdings LLC, Stephen A. Richardson, and Tiff J. Cook Sr. Exotic Leasing said it identified these parties through third-party subpoenas.4Midpage. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al
The Toy Barn’s addition matters because of a prior public tie between the businesses. A December 2022 press release announced that 7th Gear Exotics had been named the “Preferred Exotic Car Rental Company” for the Toy Barn, a Dublin, Ohio dealership, which was identified as 7th Gear’s “first corporate sponsor.”6PR Newswire. 7th Gear Exotics Named Preferred Exotic Car Rental Company for the Toy Barn
Where the Case Stands Now
The lawsuit is active. The most recent docket entry, filed June 9, 2026, is a notice of hearing for a status conference before Magistrate Judge S. Courter Shimeall on June 18, 2026. No trial date has been publicly set, and the docket does not reflect any rulings on motions to dismiss or for summary judgment by Judge Graham as of the latest filings.4Midpage. Exotic Leasing LLC v. 7th Gear Exotics LLC et al
Other Legal Trouble for 7th Gear Exotics
The federal fraud case is not the only matter pending against the company. A personal injury case (No. 25CV0643) has been filed in Clark County, Ohio Common Pleas Court by Marcus Douthy against 7th Gear Exotics LLC, Tiff Cook, Ergi Sulejmani, Larus Reguste, and Geico Secure Insurance Company. The underlying incident has not been publicly detailed in available court records.7Springfield News-Sun. Clark County Common Pleas Court Cases
Beyond litigation, the company holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau based on unresolved customer complaints about no-show vehicles, bait-and-switch tactics on car availability, and deposit refund disputes.8Better Business Bureau. 7th Gear Exotics LLC BBB Profile