Crack Down on Bad Tax Preparers Nets 7 Arrests Across New York State

 

Preparers accused of criminal tax fraud, grand larceny, and filing fraudulent tax returns

 The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced charges against seven individual tax preparers in recent months. The charges include criminal tax fraud, grand larceny, offering a false instrument for filing, and forgery.

“We continue to aggressively pursue unscrupulous tax preparers who betray the trust of clients and deprive communities and the state of revenue needed for vital services,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “Our investigators and experts use a variety of methods and analytics-driven systems to uncover these rogue tax preparers and hold them accountable.”

 

Crack down on bad tax preparers and businesses

 

Yehad Abdelaziz and his corporation, The Five Pillars Financial Services, LTD, located in Brooklyn, NY, pled guilty to Criminal Tax Fraud. A Tax Department investigation determined Abdelaziz received money from business owners and filed Sales Tax returns on their behalf. However, he underreported sales or reported zero gross sales, pocketing the Sales Tax payments his clients entrusted him to remit on their behalf. Abdelaziz is barred from New York State tax preparation activities for an entire year.

 

Claude Bruno of Cambria Heights, NY, is accused of operating without the required registration to legally prepare tax returns in New York. Bruno is also accused of failing to sign the returns he prepared and fraudulently claiming inflated expense amounts for his clients.

 

Raul Martinez of Englewood, N.J., faces seven felony counts, including one count for repeatedly failing to file corporate tax for his business, Apollo Tax, located at 170 Dyckman Street in New York City. He was also charged with third-degree grand larceny for claiming a refund of nearly $7,000 by allegedly providing false information on his 2015 personal income tax return. In addition, Martinez was charged with one count of third-degree criminal tax fraud, one count of fourth-degree criminal tax fraud, and three counts of offering a false instrument for filing.

Emerson Gamory Income Tax Services, located in Brooklyn, NY, pled guilty to Criminal Tax Fraud.  Emerson Gamory submitted tax returns on behalf of his clients between 2015 and 2016 in which he falsely claimed gifts to charity and job expenses as itemized deductions on almost 50% of the returns he filed. Gamory is barred from preparing New York State taxes for an entire year. He was previously sentenced to 15 months in Federal prison and ordered to pay $574,565 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Yachun Lin is accused of filing false 2017 and 2018 New York State tax returns with forged signatures.  She allegedly attempted to steal nearly $4,475 from New York State by suggesting her client use an address of a friend or family member who lives outside of New York City in order to save money. 

Lin then allegedly used that false address to prepare the New York State tax returns.  Lin was charged with Criminal Tax Fraud, Offering a False Instrument for Filing, Attempted Grand Larceny and Forgery.  Lin is not a registered New York State tax preparer despite the fact that she allegedly prepared a tax return out of a commercial space in Flushing Queens, designated as ETS Tax Services.

Nayib Chabur, a registered New York State Tax preparer, and his wife Maria Chabur, who is not a registered tax preparer, were arrested for filing a false 2018 New York State tax return in an attempt to defraud the state. Acting together, they are alleged to have included an IRA deduction that was not true nor discussed with their client while preparing the return. They were both arraigned and charged with Criminal Tax Fraud, Offering a False Instrument for Filing, Attempted Petit Larceny, Conspiracy, and Forgery.

 

Each year, tax return preparers who are not otherwise exempt must register with New York State before providing any commercial tax return preparation services or filing tax returns with the department. Those who fail to comply with New York’s registration program may be subject to steep monetary penalties or other administrative action.

Report fraud 

Taxpayers who believe a tax preparer has engaged in illegal or improper conduct may file a complaint. The department will review the complaint promptly and, if appropriate, take corrective action. For details, please see our Report fraud, scams, and identity theft web page.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic March 27, 2021

 

4,578 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

896 Patients in the ICU; 552 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.15%

76 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"New Yorkers have kept themselves and their families safe and remained vigilant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and even as we vaccinate more people every day, everyone should continue practicing the behaviors that keep them safe," Governor Cuomo said. "Our distribution network stands at the ready to accept and administer an increase in vaccine supply, but New Yorkers should remember the positivity rate is a function of what they do to slow the spread. Washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing are critical tools to help us fight the virus, and they work. We're going to get to the light at the end of the tunnel, but there's work to be done before we defeat the COVID beast once and for all."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

·       Test Results Reported - 259,945

·       Total Positive - 8,201

·       Percent Positive - 3.15%

·       7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.41%

·       Patient Hospitalization - 4,578 (-25)

·       Patients Newly Admitted - 617

·       Hospital Counties - 48

·       Number ICU - 896 (-17)

·       Number ICU with Intubation - 552 (-6)

·       Total Discharges - 159,846 (+543)

·       Deaths - 76

·       Total Deaths - 40,266

281 Days and Counting

 All the petitions are in for whomever wants to be your next mayor. I now have 281 days left in office to do what I didn't do in seven years, how am I doing?

 

Renderings Revealed For 3013 Barker Avenue In Bronxwood, The Bronx

Exterior rendering of 3013 Barker Avenue - AM Architecture

CSTERN Design has revealed the first architectural renderings of a seven-story rental building at 3013 Barker Avenue in Bronxwood, The Bronx. Designed by Aharon Machlis of AM Architecture, the property will replace a two-story multifamily building and yield 29 apartments.

Chaim Stern’s CSTERN Design will serve as interior planner. SKMF Queens Management is listed as the owner behind the forthcoming development.

Total built-up area will measure 22,744 square feet, with 21,773 square feet designated for residential use. Renderings from the architect appear to reveal a roof terrace, but it is unclear whether this will be reserved for a penthouse unit or for communal use. Permits filed with the city’s Department of Buildings also do not specify plans to construct any residential amenities.

Interior rendering of 3013 Barker Avenue – AM Architecture; CSTERN Design

Interior rendering of 3013 Barker Avenue – AM Architecture; CSTERN Design

The building’s vibrant teal façade is perforated by large arched windows, a combination that some critics say resembles an Art Deco-inspired vertical submarine. Along Barker Avenue, the building’s address will be pinned or painted onto the façade from the ground floor to the roof, making it hard to miss for passersby. At this elevation, the building will also feature a series of private residential balconies.

An estimated completion date has not been revealed.

Undeveloped conditions at 3013 Barker Avenue – Google Maps

Reminder Join our Bronx Progressives March General Virtual Meeting

 

Friendly Reminder Join Fellow Progressives for our March General Virtual Meeting! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86513083551 Meeting ID: 865 1308 3551 Greetings Bronx Progressives Members! Hope you're having a great March, and staying healthy and safe.    First, thank you to those that were able to join us on Sunday, March 21, to our Mass Phone Bank to #TaxTheRich, organized by our brothers and sisters at the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA). So many familiar faces that joined, including our very own Samelys Lopez!  We were joined by close to 50 volunteers and made so many calls we burned through the list before the end of the shift. This event was a true success! Together, we were able to spread our call to New Yorkers about the Invest in Our New York campaign, and help patch many New Yorkers to their elected officials.  Second, we also invite you to join us for our March general meeting. Mark your calendar Wednesday, March 31 at 7pm.   We will also be joined by Beverly Solow and James DiGioia both with DSA Bronx/Upper Manhattan Eco-socialists, who will give us an exiting and informative presentation on the Public Power Campaign; a movement that pushes to make our utilities publicly owned and powered by renewable energy. Agenda: Greetings and Welcomes (2 Mins.) Quick review of the agenda (3 Mins.) House Rules (3 Mins.) Introducing Beverly Solow and James DiGioia (3 Mins)  Beverly and James gives presentation (20 Mins.) Q&A (10 Mins.)   Working Group Proposes collaborating with the Public Power Campaign (10 Mins.) New Business/Announcements (20 Mins.)       Tax The Rich Campaign (Rally)                        New York Health Act (Phone Bank) BylawsReminder https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dupzQcNBbEhBbSAZBe5GF24vAIeMMBEdYHLcTwvE_gA/edit?usp=sharing    Adjourn Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86513083551 Meeting ID: 865 1308 3551 March 31 at 7pm One tap mobile +16465588656,,86513083551# US (New York) +13126266799,,86513083551# US (Chicago)

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS MARCOS GONZALEZ SOLER TO HEAD MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that Marcos Soler will head the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. As Director, Soler will oversee citywide criminal justice policy and develop and implement strategies across city agencies and partners to enhance public safety. Soler will play a critical role in implementing the City’s police reform plan and also serve as the Mayor’s representative to the courts, district attorneys, and state criminal justice agencies, among others. 

“Throughout my Administration we’ve seen the incredible impact of the Cure Violence Movement and Crisis Management System in neighborhoods across our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now, as we build a recovery for all of us, it’s time to deepen that work. I trust that Marcos will lead the charge to bring us back, all while keeping New York City the safest big city in America.”

 

"For seven years, this administration has shown that it is possible to reduce both crime and imprisonment with fairer, more targeted enforcement and innovative community-based strategies across the entire justice system. MOCJ has played a critical role in advancing the most ambitious and successful changes to operations of the criminal justice the City has seen in decades," said Marcos Gonzalez Soler, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. "It has been my privilege to work alongside the dedicated, hardworking, and immensely talented staff that make up our office for years as chief of staff. Now as director, it will be my honor to continue to advance the mayor’s agenda of criminal justice reform.”

 

Marcos Gonzalez Soler has served as Chief of Staff at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice since 2015. Before that, Soler was the deputy executive director for policy and strategic initiatives at the Civilian Complaint Review Board. He worked closely with the board in conceptualizing and implementing major initiatives at the CCRB, including the implementation of the administrative prosecution unit and the drafting of several policy reports and recommendations. He served as acting executive director from February to April of 2013.

 

Soler also served as deputy federal monitor in the agreement for the sustainable reform of the Puerto Rico Police Department, the largest reform agreement in the United States. Between 2009 and 2011, he was a board member and treasurer of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).

 

Soler serves as an adjunct faculty member in the political science department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At John Jay, Soler developed the first of its kind graduate level course in public oversight of law enforcement in coordination with National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. He had also taught in the NYPD executive master program in criminal justice at John Jay.

 

Soler holds a Master’s in public policy and management and a Ph.D. in politics from The New School University, where he was the recipient of the Hannah Arendt Award for the best dissertation in politics. He was a doctoral research fellow in jurisprudence at the University of Valencia School of Law and a research fellow at the Spanish Center for Constitutional Studies. He holds several graduate and law degrees from several European universities, including University of Valencia Law School & University of Valencia, the European Academy of Legal theory, the International Institute for the Sociology of Law, and the Spanish National Center for Constitutional Studies. Additionally, he is a graduate of the New York City Leadership Institute and a recipient of the Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship program. A native of Spain, Soler moved to New York City in 1998. He lives with his wife, a public-school teacher, and children on Staten Island.

 

“Over the last seven years the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice has played a critical role conceptualizing, implementing, and coordinating significant change in our justice system—from developing the historic plan to close Rikers to creative gun violence prevention and community-led safety initiatives,” Susan Herman, Director of ThriveNYC, said. “We have seen dramatic changes in every part of the criminal justice system largely due to MOCJ's efforts and Marcos Soler has been a valuable member of the leadership team that has made it happen. As he takes the helm, I congratulate him and look forward to continuing to work together to make New York a safer, fairer, and healthier city.”

 

“Marcos’ expertise on the issues is matched by his commitment to making New York City a more just and equitable place. He is absolutely the right person to lead the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice,” said CCRB Executive Director Jonathan Darche. “The CCRB looks forward to working with Marcos and MOCJ on implementing police reforms and empowering civilian oversight in our City.”

 

"I look forward to working with Marcos in building a fairer criminal justice system," said Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Roberto Perez. "I am confident that Marcos will successfully advance this administration's community-focused policies like the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety, borough-based jails, and NYPD reform." 

 

Attorney General James and Tax Commissioner Schmidt Announce Convictions of Long Island Auto Repair Shops for Tax Evasion

 

Broadway Towing and Broadway Auto & Towing Failed to Pay Over $700,000 in Sales Tax

Businesses Underreported More Than $8 Million in Taxable Sales Over a Decade

  New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt today announced the guilty pleas of two Long Island auto repair shops and their owner for tax evasion. Broadway Towing, Inc. and Broadway Auto & Towing, Inc. pleaded guilty to Criminal Tax Fraud for underreporting more than $8 million in taxable sales over a 10-year period. The owner of both shops — Luis Crespo, 53 of Freeport —  additionally pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny. As part of their pleas, the defendants agreed to repay the state of New York more than $900,000 in restitution, interest, and penalties.

“There’s no award presented to those who partake in tax evasion, but Broadway Towing’s performance has ensured the company finally pays New York state more than $900,000 in restitution, interest, and penalties,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s convictions should serve as a clear reminder that we will never tolerate those who seek to defraud our state out of its owed tax revenue, especially as we continue to face budget shortfalls. The lights have finally dimmed on Broadway Towing’s fraud. I thank Commissioner Schmidt and the Department of Taxation and Finance for their partnership in bringing accountability and justice to our communities.”

“Business owners who tilt the playing field for their own personal gain not only violate the trust of their community, they rob it of critical funding for public programs and services,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “This is hundreds of thousands of dollars that would have helped improve lives in local neighborhoods, but instead they were siphoned off for personal profit. We’ll continue to work with the attorney general and all levels of law enforcement to ensure those committing tax fraud are held accountable.”

A joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Auto Insurance Fraud Unit and the New York state Department of Taxation and Finance’s (Tax Department) Criminal Investigations Division revealed that — between 2009 and 2018 — Crespo collectively underreported a total of more than $8 million in taxable sales, and failed to remit more than $700,000 in sales tax collected from his two auto body repair shops — both located at 25 Broadway in Freeport. 

According to complaints filed in Nassau County Court and a Tax Department audit of sales tax returns, for the period between December 1, 2009 and February 28, 2018, Broadway Towing underreported its taxable sales by $5,414,789 — resulting in a failure to remit $467,025 in sales tax due to New York state. The Tax Department’s audit further revealed that, between December 1, 2009 and November 30, 2016, Broadway Auto & Towing underreported its taxable sales by $3,150,930 — resulting in a failure to remit $271,767 in sales tax due to New York state.

This morning — before the Honorable Terence P. Murphy in Nassau County First District Court — Broadway Towing and Broadway Auto & Towing each pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third Degree (a Class D felony). Crespo — who has already paid $160,000 in restitution to the Tax Department to date — pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny (a Class A misdemeanor), and was sentenced to a three-year conditional discharge. As part of his sentence, Crespo must pay an additional $750,000 in restitution to the Tax Department. 

The OAG wishes to thank the Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, as well as the New York state Department of Financial Services and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, for their valuable assistance in this investigation.

This case was investigated by Detective John Roman and Senior Auditor Dmitry Temis of the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, under the direction of Supervising Detectives Edward Keegan and Natalie Shifrin and Deputy Chief Leonard D'Alessandro. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

281 Days and Counting

 

Any time now Dr. Choskhi, you can give me the COVID-19 vaccination. I gave it to you last week Mayor de Blasio. I am just checking the injection site.