Staten Island Locksmith Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud
For Release: Immediate,
For media inquiries only, contact: Ryan Cleveland, 518-457-7377
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, along with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, today announced the plea of a Staten Island locksmith for tax fraud spanning twelve years.
Anthony C. “Carl” Napolitano, 58, of Staten Island, pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony, and one count of criminal tax fraud in the second degree, a class C felony, in full satisfaction of an eleven-count indictment obtained against him in March. As part of his plea, Napolitano admitted that he intentionally stole more than $860,000 of sales tax collected through several of his businesses, known as “Pop A Lock,” located at 765 Forrest Avenue in Staten Island. Napolitano’s sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2023.
This conclusion came after a multi-year investigation by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Criminal Investigations Division that included the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s business and comprehensive analysis of the defendant’s business transactions with regard to more than fifty sales tax periods.
“Business owners who tilt the playing field for their own personal gain not only violate the trust of their community, they rob it of critical funding for public programs and services,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including Albany County DA David Soares, to uncover tax evasion and level the playing field for all businesses.”
“Bringing Mr. Napolitano to justice and holding him to account is one of the best examples of our government working efficiently and effectively on behalf of its citizens. This plea is a victory for New York taxpayers. I want to thank the investigators and prosecutors for their hard work and for setting the example,” said Albany County District Attorney David Soares.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant could receive up to 30 years in state prison.
Related cases against the defendant’s daughter, Jennifer Cannizarro, his sister, Anna Napolitano, and longtime employee, Camille Ciaburri, are still pending.
The case was prosecuted by the Albany County District Attorney with attorneys from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Criminal Investigations Division.
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