EAST LYME, Conn. (WFSB) – A Coventry man long featured in I-Team investigations is now facing criminal charges in New London County.
Mitch Kloter, 25, was arrested by East Lyme Police on Tuesday and charged with multiple offenses, including telephone fraud and operating a livery service without a permit.
The arrest follows months of complaints from customers who say Kloter accepted payments for airport rides he failed to provide. Some claim he sent substitute drivers at the last minute—often requiring passengers to pay again—while others say no driver ever showed up and refunds were never issued.
In the East Lyme case, police say a New London couple paid Kloter $825 for a round-trip ride to JFK Airport after finding his advertisement on a local Facebook group. On the morning of July 8, Kloter allegedly called 20 minutes before pickup, saying no driver was available. Minutes later, he reversed course and said one had been found. When the couple spoke to the driver, they were told he would arrive much later than scheduled, prompting them to cancel and request a refund that never came.
According to police and the I-Team, at least 15 complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau, with dozens more shared across Facebook community groups. Victims reported paying Kloter upfront only to be left without transportation or forced to pay substitute drivers.
Investigators say Kloter acted as a ride broker, taking bookings and subcontracting drivers, but often failed to uphold agreements. Police called the pattern of behavior a “scam or ruse,” citing repeated unfulfilled arrangements.
When questioned in August, Kloter denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he honors a cancellation policy and that online complaints are false. He told police the negative attention has impacted his personal life and claimed he had stopped driving, outsourcing rides to other drivers.
Kloter reportedly offered to contact the New London couple to negotiate a refund and avoid charges, but police said he never followed through.
Kloter has declined multiple interview requests from Channel 3. He is scheduled to appear in New London Court on October 22. Other police departments across Connecticut are also investigating related complaints.
