South Carolina Porsche Dealer Accused of Bribery Scheme to Jump Car Delivery Queue

A Porsche dealership in Charleston, South Carolina, is suing its former sales manager, James Marino, alleging that he accepted bribes from customers starting in 2022 in exchange for priority access to high-demand models like the Porsche 911. According to court documents, Marino held "final decision-making authority" and required buyers to make private payments of thousands of dollars to secure a vehicle. He denies all allegations, and the case is ongoing. Due to semiconductor shortages and Porsche’s production-limiting strategies, models such as the 911 have remained in short supply for an extended period, forcing some consumers to pay premiums or rely on personal connections to purchase vehicles—practices that have even fueled a resale market for profit. Porsche has implemented measures to curb this speculation, including mandating a minimum 12-month lease term. Many online commenters noted that such "unofficial practices" are not uncommon in the luxury car market.