BROOKLYN, N.Y. (WPIX) -
Three jewelry store owners have been indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury for dodging taxes on their sales after a 2-year-long investigation. Three other jewelers have already pleaded guilty to similar charges. In total, the six jewelers pocketed taxes on more than $10 million in sales.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance conducted "Operation Bracelet" which involved undercover detectives posing as customers.
The sting included the negotiation of several purchases using cash discounts to avoid paying sales tax. Hynes says in exchange for paying in cash and not with credit card customers were told they would not be charged sales tax. That evidence led to the charges of tax fraud.
Those indicted include Crystal Sparkse located at 2054 86th Street and its president, Alexander Shamayan, Golden Art Fine Jewelers at 8422 Fifth Ave and its president, Ghassan Maalouf, and Pavillion Jewlers located at 1701 Kings Highway and its president, Saeed Azafar.
DA Hynes said, "Taxes contribute to the essential revenue to the budgets of the City and State of New York. When companies underreport their taxable sales, they are stealing money from the taxpayers."
Those who already pled guilty include Seville Jewelers, located at 1931 86th Street and its president, Albert Haim, C & S Jewelers located at 9402 Third Ave and its president, Richard Capichiano and Valentino Jewelers located at 463 Kings Highway and its president, Valentin Netes.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance conducted "Operation Bracelet" which involved undercover detectives posing as customers.
The sting included the negotiation of several purchases using cash discounts to avoid paying sales tax. Hynes says in exchange for paying in cash and not with credit card customers were told they would not be charged sales tax. That evidence led to the charges of tax fraud.
Those indicted include Crystal Sparkse located at 2054 86th Street and its president, Alexander Shamayan, Golden Art Fine Jewelers at 8422 Fifth Ave and its president, Ghassan Maalouf, and Pavillion Jewlers located at 1701 Kings Highway and its president, Saeed Azafar.
DA Hynes said, "Taxes contribute to the essential revenue to the budgets of the City and State of New York. When companies underreport their taxable sales, they are stealing money from the taxpayers."
Those who already pled guilty include Seville Jewelers, located at 1931 86th Street and its president, Albert Haim, C & S Jewelers located at 9402 Third Ave and its president, Richard Capichiano and Valentino Jewelers located at 463 Kings Highway and its president, Valentin Netes.
