Phone threat alleged against Graffis

Phone threat alleged against Graffis' partners

November 1, 2001

By Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

Paul Graffis, owner of the recently folded Graffis Motors Company in Cortez, is the "prime suspect" in a threatening phone call allegedly made to a used-car dealership in Farmington, according to police records.

According to Farmington police records, Graffis is listed as the main suspect in a open case involving an anonymous phone call and his partners in his other dealership, Mega Auto Superstore.

The call was reportedly made to a Mega Auto employee late Oct. 24. According to police records, the caller warned him, "If it starts getting weird around there (Mega Auto) just get in a car and leave and don’t interfere because I’m coming after Stan Baker and Glenn Gent (the other partners)."

Gent told police he didn’t know who the caller was but advised them "the incident stems from the current hostile situation between business owners and partners, Stan Baker and Paul Graffis."

Gent, who was contacted at Mega Auto Tuesday afternoon, declined comment on anything related to the dealership and Paul Graffis.

He also would not address the phone threat nor disclose who owns Mega Auto. However, he did emphasize that Mega Auto and Paul Graffis are represented by separate attorneys.

Both Graffis and his attorney, Kelly McCabe, were unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon. Gent would not give the Journal the name of Mega Auto’s attorney.

Since Graffis Motors unexpectedly shut its doors to the public and vacated its lot on East Main Street, accusations have been thrown in several directions.

Graffis claims that he was scammed by a trusted employee, leaving him with no choice but to close down his Cortez business. Many of the cars and trucks have since been moved to Mega Auto Superstore in Farmington, where Graffis is reportedly a partner.

However, the employee in question, former general manager Jamie Still, contends he was in the process of buying Graffis Motors from Graffis when he discovered Graffis had taken out a loan on the titles of vehicles at the dealership. Still said he turned the business back over to Graffis Oct. 16.

Aided by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane said the CPD is investigating Graffis Motors’ financial problems but there are no suspects or charges at this time.

"It’s a very complex investigation and it’s probably going to be an ongoing thing for quite a while," Lane told the Journal Friday. There had been no developments in the case as of Wednesday, Lane said, adding that Still had refused an interview with police this week.

Still told the Journal Wednesday he had no intentions of talking to the police, comparing himself to California Rep. Gary Condit and the parents of Jon Benét Ramsey.

"It’s my right as an American citizen," Still said. "That’s the smartest thing the Ramseys ever did, not talk to the police. Why would someone want to talk to someone who wants to pin something on them?"

Lane said ownership of the business has not yet been determined by detectives, and the amount of money involved is still unknown.

Lane added the CPD has heard dozens of complaints from Graffis Motors customers who say they have been caught in the crossfire and are worried that they may not be able to obtain clear title to their vehicles.