Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
-against-
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COMPLAINT
SMOKES, ISLAND SMOKES III LLC, d/biA ISLAND SMOKES, AMY R. BIAGI, PAT DONNELLY, NICHOLAS
Defendants.
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Plaintiff the City of New York (the "City"), Uli-t,
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Michael A. Cardozo,
Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, respectfully alleges, with knowledge of its own
actions and on information and belief as to the actions of others, as follows
1.
This is a civil action for injunctive relief, damages and penalties, brought
pursuant to the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act, 18 U.S.C. 234I et seq. ("CCTA"), the Cigarette Marketing Standards Act, N.Y. Tax L. $ 483 et seq. ("CMSA") and for abatement of a
2.
businesses that
manufacture, possess, advertise, offer to sell, sell and/or distribute cigarettes to the public, in
violation of numerous federal, state and local laws governing cigalette taxation and fire safety.
3.
Defendants sell loose tobacco and pre-formed cigarette paper tubes with
assistance with
4.
Defendants engage
in transactions with
cigarettes
without paying New York State and New York City cigarette excise taxes, without affixing New York State or New York City tax stamps to cigarette packages, and without complying with laws
requiring that all cigarettes sold in New York State be "fire-safe."
5.
The City seeks in this action: (i) to enjoin, under the CCTA, the CMSA
and the common law, defendants' shipment, transport, receipt, possession, advertising, sale, offering for sale and/or distribution of unstamped cigarettes in New York City; (ii) to recover
statutory penalties under the CCTA; and
(iii) to recover
CMSA, equal to the amount of each $15 New York City tax stamp that should have been affixed
to each carton of unstamped cigarettes that defendants shipped, transported, received, possessed,
sold, distributed or purchased in the City; and (iv) to recover attorneys' fees under the CMSA.
PARTIES
6. 1.
under the laws of the State of New York, doing business as "Island Smokes," with a principal
place of business at 15 Brower Court, Staten Island, N.Y. 10308.
8.
liability company formed under the laws of the State of New York, also doing business
"Island Smokes," with a principa place of business aT 116 Eldridge Street, New York, N.Y.
10002.
-2-
9. 10.
resident of the State of New York, residing at 18 Myrtle Court, Staten Island, N.Y, 10310. Defendant Nicholas Carannante is a principal of Island Smokes LLC and
a
resident of the State of New Jersey, residing at 127 Mountain Lake Rd, Little Egg Harbor Twp,
NJ 08087-3702.
is a principal of Island
Smokes
LLC and a
resident of the State of New York, residing at 165 Byrne Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314-4406.
N.Y. 10310.
14.
resident
Jersey, residing
at
Bayonne, NJ 07002-5074.
Defendant Zenghua
'Wang
John Does 7-25 are individuals who do business under the nme "Island
Smokes" and/or are principals of Isand Smokes LLC or Island Smokes III and/or are licensed by
or otherwise affiliated with Island Smokes LLC or Island Smokes III, or any other New York
limited liability company with "Island Smokes" in its name. The identities of John Does
are unknown to the
1-25
City at this time. This complaint will be amended to provide the true
names
if
17. 18.
The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant
$ 1391 (b), because a substantial part of the events and omissions giving rise to the claims
occurred in this district.
BACKGROUND
Cigarette Taxation and Regulation in New York
19.
The State and City of New York each impose an excise tax on cigarettes;
imposition and collection of the tax are accomplished by either of two methods.
A tax is
imposed on all cigarettes possessed for sale in the State and the City by New York State Tax
Law ("N.Y. Tax L.") $ 471 and/or the Administrative Code of the City of New York ("Admin.
Code") $ 11-1302(aX1), with exceptions not relevant to this complaint.
20.
A tax is also imposed on all cigarettes "used" in the State or the City by
N.Y. Tax L. g 47l-a and/or Admin. Code $ l1-I302(a)(1), with exceptions not relevant to this complaint. The "use" of cigarettes is "any exercise of a right or power, actual or consttuctive,
and shall include but is not limited to the receipt, storage, or any keeping or retention for any length of time, but shall not include possession for sale by a dealer." Admin. Code $ 11-1301 (4); see a/so N.Y. Tax L. $ 471-a.
21.
"[i]t
are subject to tax until the contrary is established, and the burden of proof that a sale or Lse is not
taxable hereunder shall be upon the vendor or the purchaser." Admin. Code I l-1302 (d); see
a/so N.Y. Tax L. 471.
4-
22.
As to the tax on possession for sale, State and City law each require that
cigarette tax stamp be affixed to every package of cigarettes possessed for sale in the State or
City (with exceptions not relevant to this complaint). All cigarettes possessed for sale must bear tax stamps as evidence that the cigarette excise tax has been pre-paid. N.Y. Tax L. 9 411;20 N.Y.C.R.R.$ 76.1(aXl); Admin. Code $ Il-302(.
23.
As to the tax on use, within twenty-four hours after liability for the tax on
the use of cigarettes accrues, each person liable for the tax shall file with the New York City
Commissioner of Finance a return, together with a remittance of the tax shown to be due thereon.
the sale or use of cigarettes has been $1.50 per pack of 20 cigarettes or $15.00 per carton of 200 cigarettes and the State excise tax was 542.50 per carton of 200 cigarettes.
25.
New York Executive Law 156-c requires all cigarettes sold in the State to
be certified as in compliance with the New York fire safety standards that are promulgated in 19
N.Y.C.R.R. S 429.1 ("fire-safe cigarettes") and to be marked to indicate that the cigarettes
comply with those standards. 19 N.Y.C.R.R. $ a29.8 (a).
26.
"it
is unlawful for any person knowingly to ship, transport, teceive, possess, sell, distribute or
purchase 'contraband cigarettes'...." 18 U.S.C. 2342.
21.
in a jurisdiction
if
of the payment of
the
28.
ship, transport, receive, possess, sell, distribute or purchase 10,000 or more unstamped cigarettes
in a state or locality that requires tax payments to be evidenced through cigarette tax
stamps.
There is no reqirement that the shipment, transport, receipt, possession, sale, distribution or
purchase of the 10,000 unstamped cigarettes occur in a single transaction, as opposed to multiple
transactions.
29.
the collection or paying over of cigarette excise taxes, to advertise, offer to sell, or sell cigarettes
at less than what the CMSA defines as the "cost of a retail dealer." N.Y. L. Tax $ a8a (a) (1).
30.
The "cost to a retail dealer," as defined by the CMSA, includes "the full
(3) (A).
3L 32.
dealers" of cigarettes within the meaning of the CMSA. N.Y. Tax L. $ 484 (a) (4).
their price "the full face value of any stamps which may be required by law," i.., $58.50, the
combined price of the City and State tax stamps required to be affixed to a carton of cigarettes.
33.
sale
of cigarettes
the
at a price less than cost of the retail dealer, is "prima facie evidence of intent to avoid
collection or paying over of such taxes as may be required by law." NY Tax L. $ 484 (6).
quality of daily life and which endangers the property, health and safety of large numbers of
people.
35.
cigarette retailers, defined as any person, other than a wholesale dealer, engaged cigarettes. Admin. Code $ 2O-20I.
in
selling
36.
License No. 1383624.
Island Smokes LLC applied for and was issued DCA Cigarette Retailer
31.
License No.1399672.
Island Smokes
III LLC
38.
It is "the first full service natural and discount cigarette shop in the
tri-state aea."
b
c. d
It offers "All-Natural Cigarettes Only $39.95" It offers "Cartons of All-Natural Cigarettes Starting at $39.95"
It offers "Only $3.95 Per Pack 2OO cigareltes"; "All major brands" "'We have all varieties" "Full Flavor, Menthol, Lites and
Ultralites."
39.
It
sels carton"
b.
10 pack")
Grrnd Opening
ctuffil,lle !!
Srnokes
t ar'
Free
XH
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,.
fll
x#
H \fgtu E
Qny
fi)
9z3,Fr;
40.
s29
"
il.l-1,
lslandsmtkes,Gorn
Na chlnlcpli oddd to popit t lob'rio/lnquko ol loroon
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On or about April 29, 2071, investigators from the New York City
15
Sheriff's Office, Division of Tax Enforcement, entered Island Smokes LLC's location at
Brower Court, Staten Island,
N.Y.
"sale," in which a cafton of cigarettes could be purchased for $32.50 "aftel taxes," an apparent
reference
41.
The investigators paid for and were furnished with loose tobacco
and
empty cigarette tubes (cigarette-sized paper cylinders to which filters were attached), taken to
machines located
in the store and instructed in how to use the machines to make a completed
cigarette. The machines filled the tubes with the tobacco, one by one, eventually producing two
cartons of 200 cigarettes each.
-8-
42.
which New York City or New York State tax stamps were not affixed and which contained no
markings certifying the cigarettes as fire-safe.
43.
Smokes
On or about October
2I,
LLC's location at 15 Brower Court, Staten Island, New York and were informed that the
and were
again provided with loose tobacco, cigarette tubes and access to a machine to assemble the
cigarettes.
44.
using the machines to
The investigators were not required to pay for the cigarettes until after
fill
45.
The investigators departed the store with one carton of cigarettes, which
was not affixed with New York City or New York State tax stamps and which contained no markings certifying the cigarettes as fire-safe.
41.
Smokes's LLC's 15 Bower Court location, purchasing cigarette tubes and tobacco sufficient for
one carton
of
finished cigarettes. A store employee assisted the investigator in making the cigarettes.
48.
The investigator departed the store with one carton of cigarettes, which
was not affixed with New York City or New York State tax stamps and which contained no markings certifying the cigarettes as fire-safe.
49.
Smokes
introductory price of $29.99, $32.50 with sales tax, for 200 cigarette tubes and loose tobacco sufficient for a carton of cigarettes.
approximately 60 cigarettes. The investigator was not required to pay for the cigarettes until
after making a carton's-worth (200) of cigarettes.
50.
The investigator departed the store with one carton of cigarettes which
was not affixed with New York City or New York State tax stamps and which contained no markings certifying the cigarettes as fire-safe.
51.
Smokes trI LLC's location at 116 Eldridge Street location and purchased 200 cigarette tubes and
tobacco sufficient
producing approximately 20 cigarettes. The investigator was not required to pay until after
completing the carton of cigarettes.
52.
The investigator departed the store with one carton of cigarettes, which
was not affixed with New York City or New York State tax stamps and which contained no
markings certifying the cigarettes as fire-safe.
53.
to
instead
54. A recent news article quotes Island Smokes's attorney as stating that
Island Smokes plans to expand into all five boroughs of New York City "imminently." Records
of corporate filings in New York show that, in addition to Island Smokes LLC and Island
l0-
Smokes
III LLC, limited liability companies have been registered under the names "Island
LLC," "Island Smokes
LLC," "Island
XIII LLC," "Island Smokes XVII LLC," "Island Smokes XVIII LLC" and "Island
XXI LLC."
55.
from Island Smokes LLC or Island Smokes York State tax stamps.
III LLC
56.
in transactions like
or
14
those detailed in paragraphs 40-52 hereof for at least 12 hours a day (15 Brower Court) hours a day
( 1 16
the City and State of New York with, in the aggregate, more than 10,000 cigarettes that do not
bear tax stamps.
or distributed
contraband
58.
Defendants are not licensed by the State or City of New York to affix tax
stamps, are not common carriers, do not hold a permit under Chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code and are not officials of any government engaged in the performance of official duties.
59. 60.
advertise, offer to se1, and/or sel cigarettes at less than the cost of a retail deaer.
advertise, ofer to se, and/or sell cigarettes that do not include in the sales price the ful face
- t1-
value of stamps which may be required by law, i.e., New York State and City tax stamps costing $58.50 per carton, with the intent to avid the collection of cigarette taxes.
a. Injury
The City bears significant health care costs when City residents sustain
smoking-related illnesses.
In
a population
cease smoking
over time is inversely proportional to the price of the cigarettes available to that population. It is
well-established that higher cigarette prices induce more people to quit smoking entirely or to
smoke fewer cigarettes, thereby reducing the damaging effects of smoking on health.
64.
if
the amount attributable to the cigarette tax ($58.50) were example, defendants have distributed
included
with the collection of City cigarettes taxes, they also impair the City's smoking
programs and impair individual efforts at smoking reduction, thereby imposing higher health
care costs on the City and injuring the public health.
66.
The District Court for the Eastern District of New York has previously
of unlawfully
constitutes an injury to the publc health of the City, and constitutes ireparable injury to the City.
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See City v. Golden Feather Smoke Shop, Inc., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16306, at *719-120
(E.D.N.Y.
b. 67. In
2008, U.S.
fire
departments responded
to an estimated
114,800
. In 2008, smoking-related
fires
resulted in an estimated 680 civilian deaths, I,520 civilian injuries and $137 million in direct property damage.
68.
Under New York Executive Law $ 156-c, "no cigarettes shall be sold or
offered for sale in this state unless the manufacturer thereof has certified" that the cigarettes comply with the New York fire safety standards that are promulgated in 19 N.Y.C.R.R. 429.I,
et seq. ("fire-safe cigarettes"). Executive Law 156-c was passed to promulgate fire
standards for cigarettes in order to
safety
69.
There were 24 cigarette fire deaths per year in New York State in 2006-
it
cigarette in New York). That number represents over a one-third (35Vo) decline, from 38 deaths per year in2002-2003, before the introduction of fire-safe cigarettes.
10.
under Exec.
Island Smokes LLC and Island Smokes III LLC are each a "manufacturer"
because each
L. $ 156-c,
produces cigarettes or causes cigarettes to be manufactured or produced anywhere" that are intended for sale in New York State. 19 N.Y.C.R.R. $ 429.2 (c)
(1).
it
-13-
1L. By manufacturing
defendants
violate Exec. Law $156-c and increase the risk of injury caused by non-fire-safe cigarettes and
thereby cause, contribute to and maintain a public nuisance.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Violation of the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act, 18 U.S.C. g 234I et seq.)
72.
The City realleges paragraphs I-'71 above as if fully set forth herein. shipped, transported,
received, possessed, sold, distributed and/or purchased more than 10,000 cigarettes which were
found in New York City without the New York State or City cigarette tax stamps required by N.Y. Law L.
g
14.
of 18 U.S.C. 234t(2)
75. 16.
will
continue
of a CCTA violation,
an
injunction issues without proof of irreparable harm. City v. Golden Feather Smoke Shop, Inc.,
597 F.3d
77.
suffered damages
has
defendant was obligated to pay $15 toward the cost of the New York City tax stamp that is required on every carton of cigarettes possessed for sale in New York City or $15 for every
carton of cigarettes they "used" in the City.
-14-
et seq.)
if fully
Defendants are "retail dealers" within the meaning of the CMSA. Defendants advertised, offered to sell, and/or sold cigarettes for less than
the "basic cost of cigarettes" within the meaning of the CMSA, N.Y. Tax
L. $ 483, by not
including, as part of the price of a carton of cigarettes, the full face value ($58.50) of the
cigarette tax stamps which may be required by New York City and State law.
81.
Pursuant
unstamped cigarettes is prima facie evidence of each defendant's intent to avoid the collection
of, or paying over of, taxes required under New York law.
82. 83.
II5,I20-l2I
will
continue
to
advertise, offer
to
sell,
and/or sell cigarettes for less than the "basic cost of cigarettes" within the meaning of the CMSA.
of a CMSA violation,
an
injunction issues without proof of irreparable harm. City v. Golden Feather Smoke Shop, Inc.,
597 F.3d
(2d Cir.2Ol0).
84.
may bring an action to prevent, restlain, or enjoin such violation or threatened violation and may recover damages and reasonable attorney's fees. N.Y. Tax L. $ 484 (b) (1).
85. 86.
as
if fully
less than the legal price creates, supplies, maintains and contributes to a public nuisance by
15 -
commerce and the quality of daily life and endangering the property, health and safety of large numbers of residents of this State and the City of New York.
WHEREFORE, New York City respectfully prays that the Court grant judgment
against defendants as follows:
a.
On the First Claim For Relief, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. S 234I et seq.: (i)
b. c.
On the Second Claim For Relief, pursuant to N.Y. Tax L. $ 483 et seq., enjoin defendants' violations
of the CMSA;
d.
Award the City as damages the amount of City cigarette excise taxes lost
as a result
Tax L. $ 483 et seq., and the attorney's fees and costs incurred in bringing this action; and
e.
as the
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MICHAEL A. CARDOZO
Corporation Counsel of the City of New York Attorney for Plaintiff The Ci 100 Church Street, Room New York, New York (2r2) 188-1324
of New York
By:
Eric
1117)
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