The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance said today that a Queens man was sentenced to pay the State taxes he owed for purchasing untaxed liquor from the Fort Hamilton U.S. Army base exchange (PX) in Brooklyn and reselling most of it to a Long Island City store.

Moniram Barran, of 10939 121^st St., South Ozone Park, NY, appeared before the Hon. Judge Pauline A. Mullings in Queens County Supreme Court on September 30 and was ordered to pay the State $76,218 in personal income tax, $30,810 in alcoholic beverage tax, and $27,882 in sales and use tax, for a tax total of $134,910. 

The alcoholic beverage tax was computed on the purchase of approximately 15,600 liters of liquor, revealed through a review of PX purchase records.        

The defendant, who wasn’t a registered New York State liquor distributor, was convicted of possessing more than 360 liters of untaxed alcohol, a class E felony. 

The Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, working with U.S. Army Criminal Investigators at Fort Hamilton, discovered through surveillance operations that large quantities of untaxed liquor were being purchased by Barran over the course of several years and transported off base for resale.  He supplied much of the liquor to a store in Long Island City; that business was unnamed since it was not charged.

The case was prosecuted by the Office of the Queens District Attorney.

In New York State, 96% of taxes are paid by businesses and individuals who voluntarily meet their tax responsibilities. The remaining 4% is collected through the Tax Department's audit, collections and criminal investigations programs. Through its enforcement programs, the Department ensures fair tax administration for all New Yorkers.

If you suspect that an individual or business is engaging in tax evasion or fraud, report it to the Department online or by calling 518-457-0578

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