Exclusive: AG recovers almost $100M in unpaid sales taxes on gas

Beep! It’s a fraud sweep!

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is putting metal to the gas pedal.

◆ Translation: Sneed is told an ongoing joint investigation and enforcement effort between Madigan’s office and the Department of Revenue has resulted in the recovery of almost $100 million in unpaid state sales taxes from gas station owners and operators throughout Illinois.

◆ Backshot: The tandem criminal enforcement operations were launched in 2010 to recoup tax losses from gas stations that underreported revenues, and it hit the $85 million benchmark last December.

Here’s a rundown: Since 2010 . . .

◆ Fifty individuals have been charged with criminal offenses relating to retail gas sales tax evasion.

◆ Thirty-eight individuals have been convicted by either trial or plea.

◆ Dozens more cases are either pending or under review for prosecution by the AG’s office.

◆ Moneyshot: The crackdown on gas station owners, which led to a new law in Illinois to penalize these criminals, is part of a larger initiative by Madigan to generate revenue for the state.

The Byrne legacy . . .

Sneed hears that the city plans to plant lilacs, tulips and roses — former Mayor Jane Byrne’s favorite flowers — when the Water Tower park is finally converted to the Jane M. Byrne Plaza.

CONTINUE READING AT SUNTIMES.COM