From: New York Bid Networks
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Commssioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone recently announced the arrest of Buffalo tobacco importer Anthony Mansour, 28, for failing to pay over one million dollars in taxes. Mansour is charged with importing over $2.5 million dollars’ worth of tobacco products into the state of New York without paying the required excise taxes. If convicted, Mansour faces up to 25 years in prison.
“Taxes on tobacco products are an important tool to lower smoking rates and limit healthcare costs. Untaxed cigarettes undercut both those efforts,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Smoking-related illnesses are the top preventable public health crisis. We must stop the flow of illegal cigarettes and take aggressive action against those who try to profit by evading tax laws.”
