NYC Tax Advocates

My photo
Specializing in IRS and NYS Tax Representation. Workers Compensation Audits, Payroll, Sales and Income Tax representation for Businesses, Individuals, Restaurants and Construction Companies. Civil and Criminal Workers Comp Audit representation includes: NYSIF Examinations, Premium Disputes, Employee Misclassification, Underreporting, Unreported Income, and Failure to Keep Accurate Payroll Records.

Thursday, July 11, 2019

He's Gone - Investigators Seize More than 200 Cartons of Untaxed Cigarettes Shipped Through Mail



The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations – New York (HSI-NY), and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office today announced felony tax charges against a Bayside man.
Jeong Min Park, 41, of 61-27 224th Street, Bayside, NY, is accused of attempting to evade the cigarette tax and possessing more than 200 cartons of illegal cigarettes that had been shipped through the U.S. Postal Service to a nail salon located at 2 Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream, NY.

Investigators witnessed Park loading the packages into a vehicle and driving away. A mobile surveillance team then followed Park until Nassau County District Attorney investigators pulled him over. After securing a search warrant for the vehicle, investigators found 208 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.

U.S. Postal inspectors also coordinated with investigators from the Tax Department’s Cigarette Strike Force, HSI-NY, and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

“Attempts to sidestep cigarette taxes put honest business owners at a competitive disadvantage, tilting the balance in favor of those willing to break the law,” said New York State Executive Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Andrew Morris. “We’ll continue to work with all levels of law enforcement, including our partners on the national and local levels, to ensure these crimes don’t go unpunished.”

“This is not only illegally selling of cigarettes untaxed to make a larger profit, but they misrepresented the goods on the manifest in order to smuggle it into the U.S.,” said Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of HSI-NY. “We continue to leverage our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to investigate tax and customs fraud cases.”

“Through the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, the defendants scheme went up in smoke,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett. “This arrest sends a strong message that law enforcement is always watching for those who cheat the system through the distribution of illegal cigarettes and contraband. We thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication in keeping the U. S. Mail and our employees safe.”

“Selling and possessing untaxed cigarettes cheats not only the state and city out of much-needed tax revenue, but also hurts law-abiding businesses,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “Due to the combined efforts of NCDA investigators, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, the Department of Homeland Security and Postal Service inspectors, we’ve helped level the playing field for honest business owners and stopped an alleged tax cheat.”

A criminal complaint is only an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Selig & Associates is a boutique Tax Representation and Insurance Claims settlement firm in New York City. To schedule a legally privileged consultation with a Federal Tax Practitioner CPCU and Attorney, please call us directly at (212) 974-3435. 

We take a practical approach to problem solving and strive to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients.

Effective Tax Advocacy We successfully resolve civil and criminal tax problems including suspended Drivers Licenses and Passports. We provide practical solutions to difficult IRS and State tax problems. Specializing in unpaid sales and payroll taxes. We negotiate affordable installment agreements and if you have missing or unfiled tax returns, we can have them prepared and filed for you within 48 hours guaranteed. For immediate assistance, call us directly at (212) 974-3435 or contact us online. 

Insurance Claims We settle insured property damage claims in the shortest amount of time and at the least cost to the policyholder and insurance company. Insurance litigation is costly and time consuming. Accordingly, we provide policyholders and insurance companies with a cost effective alternative to litigation. Commercial and residential insurance representation includes: Environmental Damage, Mold (removal & remediation) Fire, Business Interruption, Burglary, Vandalism, Windstorm and Water Damage.  

For more information about our Tax and Insurance Claims settlement services or to schedule a FREE consultation, call (212) 974-3435 or contact us online. 





No comments:

Post a Comment

Selig & Associates is a boutique Tax Representation and Risk Management Firm specializing in unpaid tax obligations and commercial insurance coverage

  Tax Advocacy      Federal Tax Practitioner, CPCU and Attorney. Practicing before the Internal Revenue Service and New York State Departmen...