What Prius driver really wanted was publicity for his website AdultSwingLife.com

[d.gibbs]

In 2006 Sikes was on television, winning $55,000 on "The Big Spin"

As a real estate agent in San Diego, he boasts of his celebrity clients, including Constance Ramos of "Extreme Home Makeover."....

In 2001, Sikes filed a police report with the Merced County Sheriff's Department for $58,000 in stolen property, including jewelry, a prosumer mini-DV camera and gear, and $24,000 in cash. A neighbor near Sikes' former home in Atwater mentioned the money problems to FOX40 News, adding, "I'm not surprised he'd try to get money." Two years ago, Sikes filed for bankruptcy in San Diego. Documents show he was more than $700,000 in debt and owed Toyota $19000 for his Prius.

Sikes still struggles with a reputation in Northern California. Jim Pernetti with AAA California Document Services says he's also aware of Sikes' past. "I've been warned that he used to do business here," Pernetti told FOX40, "and that I should be wary of anything with him."

The Atwater neighbor says Sikes and his wife Patty had a reputation for other reasons. FOX40 News uncovered a new business that Sikes appears to have started: the website AdultSwingLife.com, registered with the California Business Registry's database asAdultSwingLife, LLC. James Sikes is listed as an "agent and member" according to records obtained by FOX40 News, and an online listing with an affiliated adult website lists a personal cell phone number of Sikes' as a point of contact for AdultSwingLife.com. The AdultSwingLife website is not a pornographic site, but the online forum features erotic photos of its members....

http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-jamessikesinvestigated0311,0,4677651.story

[Fumesucker]

1. Welcome to DU..

I don't think you're gonna like what you're about to receive. :evilgrin:


:popcorn: :popcorn:

:popcorn: :popcorn:

[PBS Poll-435]

2. Camshafts and Cylinders and Rubber, Oh My!

Welcome to DU.


:hide:

[w4rma]

3. It's possible. (nt)

[wtmusic]

4. He was going to send his kid up in a silver balloon

but someone else thought of it first.

[Kolesar]

7. the resemblance between the stories had occurred to me

That idiot called 9-1-1. He is going to be in very deep....

[liberal N proud]

5. They are coming out of the wood work

Defending their beloved Toyota.

[spanone]

6. aliens are possible too.

[grantcart]

8. Also suspicious was of all of the areas in San Diego to have a car

accelerate out of control the remote highway section of 8 going uphill in double lanes is by far the safest.

How fortunate for him that it occurred there and not in a busy intersection or a cliff next to the ocean.

Reminds me of the copy cats that followed when somebody tampered with Tylenol.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[harkadog]

15. But if the fraud was against an American car company

You would be screaming for his head. So transparent.

[jtuck004]

10. I wonder what websites these 43 unfortunate souls were trying to promote?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-03-14-crashes-involving-toyotas-raise-questions-victim-profiles_N.htm

Darn web site promoters.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Read the individual stories and a pretty clear picture can be drawn.

A 1989 Camry? A 1996 Avalon? Really? Damned drive-by-wire! :grr:

[la la]

11. hey- i'm glad to read this--

i've been trying to figure out what the deal was with this guy---since all the 'tests' disproved his *problem* stopping - he 'doesn't want to sue' and 'doesn't want publicity' ---something fishy from the get go with this guy

my opinion --and i drive a Toyota and am happy with it! :evilgrin:

[Atman]

12. I have to do more research, HOWEVER...

How does ONE SCAM ARTIST (if that is indeed proven) negate the claims of every other victim of Toyota's performance in handling the software/electronic problem with its vehicles?

.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

14. It doesn't, and no one has said it does as far as I've read

If a guy is looking for publicity and pulls a stunt like this, he damages the reputation of the corporation inititally, AND THEN the people who have legitmate claims against Toyota if he's found out to be a fraud.

Risking the lives of others including law enforcement for this stunt? You better fucking believe I have a problem with it.

[greyl]

17. It doesn't, and I've not seen anybody say it does.

With that in mind, it's interesting how all the defenders of this particular driver are really arguing with that straw man you bring up.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[provis99]

20. since every other "victim" was an old person with previous driving problems,

This Toyota thing should be about as dead as the whole Audi acceleration-out-of-control thing that happened a few years back. fool me once, shame on you...

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

16. Welcome to DU! Nice website plug lol

[greyl]

18. That's pure speculation and doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Any evidence that was his motivation?

The first links posted here when the story first broke were to his real estate site.

I don't believe Sikes at all, but there's no sense muddying the conversation.