Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance have announced criminal charges against six business owners for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns and failing to remit sales tax revenue to the State. The arrests were part of a concerted law enforcement effort during tax season to crack down on individuals committing tax fraud in New York State.
“Tax day was extended this year due to the pandemic,” District Attorney Sini said. “As people are preparing their taxes this year, these cases serve as a clear reminder that failing to pay taxes is a serious crime that affects all of us and that will not be tolerated. This has undoubtedly been a tough year for many businesses and business owners, but that does not excuse cutting corners at the expense of taxpayers by failing to pay their fair share of taxes. I thank our partners at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for continuing to work with my Office to investigate and prosecute tax fraud and to protect taxpayers.”
“New Yorkers who purposefully evade their taxes violate the trust of their community and place others at a distinct disadvantage,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “This is money that would have made a difference in the lives of area residents by funding public programs and services. Instead, they used it for their own personal gain. We’ll continue to work with all levels of law enforcement including the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to root out tax evasion.”
The defendants arrested included six local business owners who allegedly filed false tax returns:
- Vincent Corelli, 46, of Mastic Beach, is charged with three counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. Corelli is the owner of Corelli Drywall, Inc., located in Shirley. It is alleged that false tax returns were filed for tax years 2015 through 2017 to evade payment of $44,286 in taxes.
- Peter Cucurullo, 65, of Bethpage, is charged with two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony; Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony; and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. He is the owner of Maple Place Auto Body, Inc., located in Amityville. Cucurullo is alleged to have filed false tax returns for tax years 2016 and 2017 to evade payment of $32,840 in personal income taxes. He is also alleged to have collected and failed to remit sales tax revenue owed to the New York State Department of Tax & Finance for 2016 and 2017 in the amount of $41,906.36.
- Joseph Divilio, 56, of Hauppauge, is charged with Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony; Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony; and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. He is the owner of Perfect Bodies Auto Body, Inc., located in Bohemia. Divilio is alleged to have a filed false tax return for 2017 to evade payment of $5,214 in personal income taxes. He is also alleged to have collected and failed to remit sales tax revenue owed to the New York State Department of Tax & Finance for the years 2014 through 2018 in the amount of $61,919.
- Russell Regan, 61, of East Islip, is charged with two counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. He is the owner of All Star Restoration, Inc., located in Holbrook. Regan is alleged to have filed false tax returns for tax years 2015 and 2016 to evade payment of $44,287 in personal income taxes.
- Jonathan Rubin, 55, of Lido Beach, is charged with four counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and four counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. He is the owner of East End Builders and Associates, located in Shirley. Rubin is alleged to have filed false tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2017 to evade payment of $52,611 in personal income taxes and $12,933 in corporate taxes.
- Andres Suarez, 49, of Brentwood, is charged with three counts of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony. He is the owner of A1 Collision Specialists Corporation, located in Deer Park. Suarez is alleged to have filed false tax returns for tax years 2015 through 2017 to evade payment of $41,795 in personal income taxes.
In total, the defendants allegedly defrauded New York State out of $337,811.36 in taxes.
If convicted of the top count, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of one and one-third to four years in prison.
All defendants were arraigned and released on their own recognizance.
District Attorney Sini and the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance would like to remind residents that the due date for New York State personal income tax returns originally due on April 15, 2021, has been extended to May 17, 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sacks, Attorney-in-Charge of the Financial Investigations and Money Laundering Bureau’s Tax Crimes Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Leslie Stevens, also of the Tax Crimes Unit.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.