Suburban man charged with hiding luxury cars during bankruptcy

Perhaps Joseph W. Campbell considered the cars — including a 1981 DeLorean and a 1997 Dodge Viper — more his babies, than actually property.

Either way, the 49-year-old former Tinley Park man is now facing federal charges after he allegedly tried to hide seven luxury cars while going through bankruptcy, according to an indictment filed Friday in federal court.

Campbell filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in November 2012 but failed to list the luxury cars as assets, which also included a 2003 Lamborghini, according to the indictment. The seven cars were worth an estimated $294,000, but at the time, Campbell valued his total assets at $67,000, according to the indictment.

In February 2013, during a creditors’ meeting, Campbell testified under oath that he’d sold his 1966 Corvette two years earlier even though he still owned it, according to the indictment. A few months later, Campbell then secretly sold his Lamborghini for about $122,000, court papers allege.

“Defendant Campbell intentionally concealed his sale of the Lamborghini from his creditors, the bankruptcy trustee, and the bankruptcy court, and he used the proceeds from the sale for his own benefit,” the indictment states.

In September 2013, during a court hearing concerning a judge’s order to turn over five of the cars, Campbell allegedly lied, saying he’s sold the vehicles.

Then in November of the same year, under cover of night, Campbell moved the six cars he hadn’t sold from Wilmington to two locations in Lockport, the indictments states.

Campbell and his attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.