News from New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

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BROOKLYN USED-CAR DEALER INDICTED ON FELONY TAX CHARGES

Allegedly Pocketed $300,000 In Sales Taxes He Collected From Customers

ALBANY, NY (07/25/2008; 1705)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Robert L. Megna today announced that a Brooklyn used-car dealer, Akpan Akpabio, who operates a dealership at 1676 East New York Ave., failed to pay sales taxes on any sale since he opened the business in 1999, despite collecting the tax from customers.

Akpabio, 65, is charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, multiple counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, multiple counts of falsifying business records, Petit Larceny, and other violations of the State Tax Law. If convicted he faces up to 25 years in prison.

It is alleged that Akpabio's sales during the period totaled $3.5 million and that he failed to pay about $300,000 in state and local sales taxes.

Commissioner Megna said "The Tax Department is committed to hold accountable business operators who steal the sales taxes that they have collected from their customers. Many of these businesses illegally use the sales tax revenues they collected to operate their business or to line their own pockets. Regardless of the reason, businesses that misappropriate the money they collected are cheating both their customers and state and local governments."

For more information on this case, please refer to the Kings County District Attorney's press release, which can be found at: www.brooklynda.org