New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox announced today that James Inzinga was sentenced to one year in jail for stealing more than $18,000 in sales tax – while on probation for stealing $59,000 in sales tax.  

In 2011, Inzinga, 57, of Peck Road, Hilton, NY, pled guilty as charged in Monroe County Court to a 32 count indictment before the Hon. John DeMarco.  The indictment accused Inzinga of a variety of charges, including Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, for stealing $59,000 in sales tax from December 1, 2004 to February 28, 2006.  He collected the funds from customers of Cristo Collision, a car repair shop at 40 Stace Street, Rochester, but failed to remit them to the state as required by law.   

For this crime, he was sentenced to 15 weekends in jail and five years probation.  He agreed to make restitution and lead a law-abiding life.  But that didn’t happen.   

During a follow-up investigation, the Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division discovered that, in his very first year of probation, Inzinga continued to steal from his customers and the state.  This time he collected $18,934 in sales tax, again from customers of the same repair shop, Cristo Collision, and once more he failed to remit these funds to the state.  Inzinga’s probation was then revoked after he pled guilty to violating his probation.  Judge DeMarco again sentenced him, this time to one year in Monroe County jail on the violation of probation. 

“This business owner’s brazenness knows no bounds,” Commissioner Mattox said.  “After his first conviction, he was given an opportunity to continue running his business lawfully, but instead chose to steal more from his customers and the State of New York.  I commend Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley and her team for their hard work in prosecuting this case.” 

The Commissioner reminded the public that the Department offers programs such as the Voluntary Disclosure and Compliance Program that encourages delinquent taxpayers to become compliant without facing criminal prosecution or civil penalty.  For more information about these programs, go to the Department’s website at www.tax.ny.gov.

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Businesses collect nearly $25 billion in sales taxes from their customers each year.  The taxes collected are transmitted to the State Tax Department, which in turn distributes more than $13 billion to local governments.  The remaining funds are used for state programs.    

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.