Steuben County Man Sentenced To Pay $90,000 In Tax Evasion Case

Attorney General Spitzer and State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Arthur Roth today announced the sentencing of a Steuben County liquor store owner who had pleaded guilty to stealing more than $90,000 by failing to pay state sales tax from 1994-98.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Ronald Simmonds, 65, of 45 Hudson Street, Bath, made full restitution of $90,116. Simmonds is the owner of Lake Country Wine and Liquor in Bath.

In December of 2000, Simmonds pleaded guilty in Steuben County Court to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E Felony.

"This defendant believed that his failure to pay sales taxes would not be discovered and that he would not be held accountable for his actions," Spitzer said. "We remain committed to working with Commissioner Roth to ensure that all state tax laws are enforced."

"Our message is clear: Those who seek to evade their legitimate tax obligations will be caught and punished," Commissioner Roth said.

The case was handled by Mary C. Baumgarten of the Attorney General's Criminal Prosecution Bureau under the direction of Bureau Chief Janet Cohn.