Listen to this articleA former Long Island business owner pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree grand larceny for failing to report $16 million in taxable sales, officials said.
Timothy Kjaer, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Shoreham, had failed to report the sales, keeping more than $1.3 million in state sales tax money. Kjaer had owned several auto shop businesses on Long Island at the time, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“For over a decade, this defendant brazenly stole money from New York State by pocketing the sales tax he collected from customers instead of remitting it to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. In total, this defendant stole over $1.3 million by failing to report more than $16 million in taxable sales,” Tierney said in a news release about the guilty plea.
“Today’s plea serves as a clear reminder that failing to pay taxes is a serious crime against the public that will not be tolerated,” Tierney said. “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.”
Officials say that Kjaer had failed to submit dozens of sales tax returns or falsified returns that “substantially underreported the taxable sales of several businesses he owned in Suffolk County.”
Kjaer owned Automative Marine & Styling Center and Real Deal Auto in Riverhead, Not Just Tint, S&T Autoworks 1, and S&T Auto Centers in Medford, EZ Credit Auto Sales in Medford, Universal Auto in Medford and Universal Auto Sales & Service in Coram.
Officials say Kjaer will be required to pay $3 million to New York State or face serving four to 12 years in prison. He is due back in court Sept. 12, 2025.
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