Man is accused of fraud via eBay

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man is being sued for allegedly selling an airplane on eBay and failing to deliver the aircraft after being paid.

Stefan Sanderling of Toledo, Ohio, seeks damages against 38-year-old Robert John Cripe for fraud and breach of contract, according to a lawsuit filed in 1st District Court on Wednesday.

Counsel for Sanderling said his client entered into a purchase contract with Cripe for a 1974 Cessna 150 in 2008. Sanderling made a $2,000 down payment and later wire transferred $19,700 to Cripe’s bank account.

Sanderling made arrangements for a pilot to pick up the plane, but the pilot discovered the plane’s Federal Aviation Administration registration number no longer existed. Cripe allegedly told Sanderling there was a typographical error on the bill of sale and that he would get it straightened out with FAA, the suit said.

Subsequent delivery arrangements were allegedly made, but they never came to fruition.

Sanderling’s Coeur d’Alene attorney, Larry Mundahl, said in the suit that Cripe ultimately stopped replying to phone and e-mail messages from his client, who never received the plane or a refund.