D.E.C. Copiers in West Haverstraw and one of its owners, Charles Wurf, were convicted of filing false sales tax returns and absconding with over $286,000 in state sales tax from 2003-2008.
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance started investigating Wurf”™s business after an accountant hired by D.E.C. was charged with preparing false personal income tax returns for an undercover officer posing as a small business owner.
Under a plea agreement, the unnamed accountant paid a $50,000 fine and surrendered his license to practice as a certified public accountant. As part of the plea deal, he agreed to cooperate with the Department of Taxation, helping it to snag Wurf filing false sales tax returns.
In a prepared statement, acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward said, “Business owners who knowingly file false returns and fail to pay the taxes they collect are cheating their customers and committing a crime. When business owners pocket these taxes, state and local governments are losing revenue crucial to deliver needed service.”
Wurf and DEC Copiers, Inc. will receive their sentences in Rockland County Criminal Court on March 23.
