AG Schneiderman & Tax Commissioner Mattox Announce Arrest of Capital Region Subcontractor Who Failed to File Tax Returns for Five Years

LongIsland.com

Defendant Owes Nearly $40,000 For Unfiled 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, And 2009 Returns.

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Albany, NY - April 8, 2014 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox announced today the arrest Eli J. Strong, 50, of Petersburg, Rensselaer County on three felony charges, stemming from his failure to file personal income tax returns. Strong was a construction subcontractor for local construction companies. Strong is being arraigned in Albany City Court on charges of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, in violation of Tax Law § 1803, and two counts of Repeated Failure to File Personal Income Tax Returns, also class E felonies, in violation of Tax Law § 1802(a). 
 
“When individuals dodge paying taxes, the burden falls on honest taxpayers who have to foot the bill,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Our office will prosecute those who flout the law and fail to pay their taxes.” 
 
“Our system of taxation relies on each of us to voluntarily comply with our tax responsibilities to fund vital local and statewide services,” said Commissioner Mattox.  “Tax evasion is a crime, and we work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure fairness for the millions of New Yorkers who meet their filing obligations every year.” 
 
According to the complaint, Strong failed to file personal income tax returns for the tax years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. 
 
The charges against Eli J. Strong are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of one and one-third to four years of incarceration. 
 
The case is being investigated by NYS Tax Department Investigator Anthony Vona.  The Attorney General thanks the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division for developing and referring this case. 
 
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Joshua Vinciguerra of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Gary Fishman. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is part of the Criminal Justice Division, led by Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.