A Capital Region car dealership owner, Guy Kennedy Nicolas, has been sentenced for failing to pay over $160,000 in taxes, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) Amanda Hiller announced. Nicolas, the sole proprietor of G&A Auto Care, Inc., and his business pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny after underreporting more than $2 million in taxable sales.
In a judgement rendered, Nicolas received a five-year probation while his business was given a three-year conditional discharge. Both admitted to the full amount of sales tax owed, "When New York businesses fail to pay taxes, they cheat New Yorkers out of critical resources that support education, health care, transportation, and other essential services," Attorney General James said in a statement, indicating that the state would persist in pursuing tax cheats. The investigation conducted jointly by the OAG, DTF, and New York State Police, uncovered that Nicolas had consistently neglected to file his annual sales tax returns between 2013 and 2023, save for two years.
The case was cracked with the assistance of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, which helped solidify the State's stance against fraudulent business operations. "Having a license to operate a car dealership in New York carries a responsibility to follow the law in the process of running that business, including paying your taxes," remarked DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder to the Attorney General's office, emphasizing the importance of lawful business practices.
Attorney General James has been active in addressing tax fraud across the spectrum, retrieving millions from various individuals and entities who sought to evade the state’s tax laws. This conviction is just the latest event in an ongoing commitment to tax law integrity, as emphasized by the Attorney General's office, "The sentencing of Mr. Nicolas sends a strong message that dishonest business practices will not be tolerated in New York State," Steven G. James, New York State Police Superintendent, outlined the state's dedication to lawful commerce and financial honesty.
