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New York State Department of Taxation and Finance April 27, 2015
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Former Nassau County Auto Body Shop Owner Sentenced for Tax EvasionDefendant and co-defendant agree to pay full restitution of nearly $150,000 |
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The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced today that a Garden City resident who once owned an auto body shop was sentenced for tax fraud.
Gerald Losquadro, 62, was the former operator of New Hyde Park Auto Body Works, located at 801 2nd Ave. in New Hyde Park, NY. Last year the Nassau County man was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Criminal Tax Fraud in the Third and Fourth Degree.
Losquadro was the owner of the auto shop from September 2009 to December 2010. In just 15 months he collected more than $27,000 in sales tax from his customers, but did not remit it to New York State. He was sentenced April 22 to a conditional discharge and ordered by the Court to pay full restitution to the State totaling $27,588. “We thank Acting District Attorney Singas and her team for their work to bring tax evaders to justice,” said Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Kenneth Adams. “We will continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners to create a level playing field for honest business owners and to protect New Yorkers from paying the cost of tax evasion.”
“Sales taxes paid by Nassau County residents should be going to Nassau County to fund vital government services,” Acting Nassau County DA Madeline Singas said. “Mr. Losquadro and Mr. DiMartino stole money, not just from their own customers, but from the county and the state when they repeatedly failed to remit the sales tax money they collected. My office will continue to work with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to hold lawbreakers accountable and get full restitution on behalf of taxpayers.”
The same auto body shop was later owned by Charles DiMarino of East Norwich, who was arrested on the same day as Losquadro. DiMarino previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor related to sales tax violations and received a conditional discharge. DiMarino paid the State a sales tax liability of $122,348. The corporation, New Hyde Park Auto Body Works, Inc., also pleaded guilty to two tax law misdemeanors.
Both criminal cases were investigated by the Tax Department's Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office. Each year, New York State businesses collect nearly $25 billion in sales tax from their customers. Businesses transmit the funds to the Tax Department for state programs and distribution to local governments.
Taxpayers who believe a business hasn't collected the proper sales tax, or has collected it but failed to remit the funds, can report tax evasion and fraud online at the Tax Department's Web site or by calling 518-457-0578. The information is kept confidential. |
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