The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced that two Syracuse businessmen have been arrested for failing to pay the State $245,557 in sales tax.

Yakov Bandura, 23, of 3395 Howlett Hill Road, Camillus, and Sergey Tomoroksa, 28, of 107 Mercury Circle, Liverpool, who jointly operate Highline Motor Works at 756 State Fair Boulevard in Syracuse, allegedly were collecting sales tax money from their customers between September 2010 and February 2013, and then, in violation of the Tax Law, keeping the funds rather than remitting them to the State.

The defendants, who operated the used automobile dealership since February 2010, were charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and seven counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Second Degree, class C felonies.

If convicted, Bandura and Tomoroksa could face up to 15 years in state prison.

They were arraigned July 2 in the Town of Geddes Court before Judge Daniel Matthews and released on their own recognizance.

This case was investigated by the Tax Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Syracuse office, and will be prosecuted by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s office.

A criminal complaint is an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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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