FBI raids home of NASCAR sponsor Jeff Carpoff

Jeff Carpoff is the CEO of DC Solar and the owner of the Martinez Clippers baseball team

Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have raided the home of Jeff Carpoff and his wife Paulette.

The Carpoff family are owners of DC Solar as as well the Martinez Clippers baseball club. The home sits in Martinez, California.

Armando Gomez is the lawyer for the family. He emailed a statement in acknowledging the raid earlier this week.

“The Carpoff family was surprised and disappointed with the actions taken by the government earlier this week, which appear to relate to an ongoing tax dispute,” Gomez wrote to the Gazette.

“They are long-time residents and supporters of the Martinez community who believe in our country and all that it stands for,” Gomez concluded.

Jeff Carpoff and Brennan Poole in the DC Solar complex
Jeff Carpoff and Brennan Poole in the DC Solar complex

FBI Raid: DC Solar

The family resides on the 5000 block of Stonehurst Drive in Martinez, California. Agents reportedly broke through the front door of the home. Approximately 20 agents were on hand for the raid.

Several items were then seized from the home. Witnesses claimed that multiple vehicles were seized among other items from the home.

“The Stonehurst address was the subject warrants executed,” stated FBI public affairs specialist, Gina B. Swankie. “We cannot comment beyond the confirmation of activity at this time.”

In addition to the residential address, the DC Solar headquarters was also involved in the raid. Employees were escorted from the building located on 4901 Park Road in Benicia, California.

More personal items were seized from the second raid at the industrial park. DC Solar has been closed since Tuesday. 

DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 01: Ross Chastain, driver of the #42 DC Solar Chevrolet, leads Cody Ware, driver of the #78 Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Chip Ganassi Racing: DC Solar

DC Solar is a primary sponsor of several NASCAR teams within the Chip Ganassi Racing organization.

Jeff Carpoff played an important role in the signed of Ross Chastain to CGR. Chip Ganassi didn’t see Chastain as his driver. Carpoff insisted he give him a shot. After a brief three race deal in 2018, Chastain now has a full-time ride for 2019.

Before Jeff pushed me into trying this guy out, I repeatedly told Jeff that he didn’t know what he was talking about and to leave the drivers to me,” Chip Ganassi said during the recent signing announcement.

That deal was announced in November 2018. DC Solar is scheduled to be the primary sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series effort in the #42. The company also supports two of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series efforts for the North Carolina based team.

Chip Ganassi Racing issued a brief statement on the raid this week:

“Although we have received little in the way of facts, we are aware of the situation with DC Solar and are monitoring it closely.”

The Carpoff family already had a trial court date set for February 4, 2019. This case is on a petition filed in 2017 regarding taxes. It’s unclear if the raid has any relation to the upcoming trail.

More

Jeff Carpoff requested Ross Chatain as his driver; Chip Ganassi almost didn’t listen

Ross Chastain to Chip Ganassi Racing

Links

DC SolarMartinez Clippers | FBIRoss Chastain | Chip Ganassi Racing | NASCAR

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