More Than 955 Cartons of Untaxed Cigarettes, Counterfeit Tax Stamps, and Cash Seized from Storage - Man faces multiple felonies, including Criminal Tax Fraud

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced felony charges against Belal Alshamiri, 29, of 753 James Street, Apartment 927, Syracuse, following an investigation into the distribution of untaxed cigarettes in Syracuse. Tax Department investigators executed a search warrant at Alshamiri’s storage unit, B&C Storage, 5991 Drott Dr., East Syracuse. They seized more than 955 cartons of contraband cigarettes, 85 counterfeit tax stamps, and more than $3,600 in cash from a storage unit and vehicle at that location. Town of Dewitt Police assisted in the execution of the warrant as well. Hundreds of counterfeit Viagra pills, several bags of the stimulant Khat, and more than 1,400 packets of synthetic cannabis were also seized and turned over to New York State Police and DEA investigators. Alshamiri was charged with felony Possession, Transport, or Sale of more than 30,000 Cigarettes, Criminal Tax Fraud, and Possession of a Forged Instrument. The Onondaga County District Attorney will prosecute this case.

“Those who evade our cigarette and tobacco products tax deprive communities and the state of revenue needed for vital services and put honest businesses at a competitive disadvantage,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “We will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to root out tax fraud and bring those responsible to justice.”

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

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Effective Tax Advocates We successfully resolve most 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 please call us directly at (212) 974-3435 or contact us online.  

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“Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness” Part (4)

Medical Madness. 

Dr. Gregory B. Shankman (Utica office) billed for giving workers-compensation exams on fully 150 days he was traveling elsewhere in New York — and even vacationing in Iceland.

Selig & Associates is a boutique Tax Representation and Insurance Claims settlement firm in New York City. To schedule a legally privileged consultation with a results driven 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. 

Couple Indicted for Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS and Filing False Tax Returns

They should have hired Selig & Associates

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a husband and wife with conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and multiple counts of filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney David C. Joseph.

According to the indictment, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf owned and operated D&G Holdings LLC (D&G), a company providing laboratory and mobile phlebotomy services.  For the 2011 through 2015 tax years, the Poimboeufs allegedly underreported their income and gross receipts from D&G on their joint personal federal income tax returns by submitting false information to two separate tax return preparers that omitted bank accounts and Forms 1099 that the accountants needed to accurately report their taxable income.  The indictment charges that the Poimboeufs also improperly classified business receipts as non-taxable loan proceeds in an effort to reduce their income. 

If convicted, Robert and Donna Poimboeuf each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy counts and three years in prison on each false return count.  The Poimboeufs also face a period of supervised release and monetary penalties.  An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook and Trial Attorney Kevin Schneider of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

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Store Owner Charged with Selling Contraband Cigarettes NYS Tax Department suspends store’s registration to sell tobacco products

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance suspended the registration required for a Putnam County gas station to sell tobacco products after agents with the department’s Criminal Investigations Division discovered 21 cartons of contraband cigarettes.

The illegal cigarettes, bearing two different counterfeit New York State tax stamps, were seized after a routine cigarette inspection at the Citgo Mart, Inc., 1481 Route 22, in Brewster.

The store’s owner, Mohamed Aljahim, 36, of 45 Decan Smith Hill Road, Patterson, was charged with one felony and one misdemeanor. The defendant is scheduled to appear in court later this month.

“The charges in this case serve as a reminder to all shop owners across the state that selling untaxed cigarettes, no matter how large or small the quantity, is a serious crime that won’t be tolerated,” said Acting Commissioner Nonie Manion. “We will continue to work with prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement as we pursue these cases.” All cigarettes for retail sale in New York State must be purchased by a licensed distributor, and retail dealers must be in possession of purchase invoices showing that the taxes on the cigarettes have been paid. Those found in possession of untaxed cigarettes can face fines of up to $600 per carton as well as a prison sentence.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case will be prosecuted by the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office.

The Most Effective Tax Advocates in New York City!  We Solve Serious Tax Problems. For a Free Legally Privileged Consultation with a Federal Tax Practitioner and Licensed Attorney call (212) 974-3435 or Contact Us Online. 

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Former IRS Special Agent Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns, Theft of Government Money & Obstruction of Justice

A former Special Agent for the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation was sentenced to serve 51 months in prison for filing false tax returns, obstruction of justice, and stealing government money, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Alex G. Tse. 

According to the evidence introduced at trial, Alena Aleykina, 45, who is also a Certified Public Accountant and holds a master’s degree in business administration, filed six false tax returns – three personal tax returns for years 2009, 2010, and 2011, and three in the names of trusts she created for years 2010 and 2011.  On her personal tax returns, Aleykina fraudulently claimed the head of household filing status, listed false dependents, and claimed deductions for education expenses to which she was not entitled.  Aleykina also obtained a fraudulent legal separation decree from the California Superior Court for Yolo County so that she and her husband could claim rental real estate loss deductions to which they were not entitled.  Further, on a trust tax return, she falsely claimed to be paying wages to her mother and her sister to care for her son and father.

Additionally, Aleykina stole government funds and obstructed justice during the investigation.  She stole from the IRS’s Tuition Assistance Program, a program created to allow IRS employees to take job-related classes from local colleges and educational institutions. Aleykina falsely claimed to be taking English classes from a trust registered to her sister. As a result of these fake classes, Aleykina recieved $4,000 in tuition reimbursement from the Tuition Assistance Program.  When criminal investigators approached Aleykina to retrieve her government laptop, Aleykina lied to the agents about the location of the laptop and deleted dozens of files from the computer after the agents left.  The total loss to the government from Aleykina’s conduct is more than $50,000.

Aleykina was previously convicted in June after a two-week federal jury trial in the Eastern District of California of filing false tax returns, destroying records in a federal investigation, and theft of government money.

In addition to the term of prison imposed, Aleykina was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $4,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Tse commended special agents of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Frentzen and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Arthur J. Ewenczyk and Charles O’Reilly, who prosecuted the case.

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