The owner of an Erie auto dealership is pleading not guilty to charges of fraud and conspiracy.  The plea came during an arraignment in U.S. Court in Erie.
 
Adam Weaver owns Weaver Buick-GMC on 12th and Liberty street in Erie. He is accused of being involved in a scheme where auto loans were arranged for vehicles that were not really sold, and the prices of the vehicles, allegedly given to the banks , were above the actual value of the cars.

Weaver attended two arraignments today.  One for himself, the other representing his company, which is also under indictment.  Judge Susan Paradise Baxter set bond at $10,000 and asked Weaver to surrender his passport. Weaver, through his attorney, David Ridge, asked the judge to allow him to attend a business cruise to the Caribbean in late October and early November.  The cruise is for the National Automobile Dealers Association.
 

Despite an objection by the Assistant U.S. Attorney, the judge said Weaver's passport would be returned to him for the cruise.

"My client is certainly not a threat to flee the jurisdiction.  He is an established businessman. He has family here.  He'll attend all court proceedings.  I have no concerns about that whatsoever, and neither did the judge,"  Ridge said.
 

Judge Baxter also demanded that the dealership not sell any property, other than the normal sale of cars and trucks, during this time.