California Indictment Alleges $24 Million in Tobacco Tax Evasion

April 10, 2025, 7:14 PM UTC

Five people face a 118-count criminal indictment in connection with evading more than $24 million in California excise taxes by importing untaxed tobacco products into the state and selling them without a license, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on Thursday.

A Sacramento County grand jury indicted the individuals on counts of conspiracy, selling tobacco as an unlicensed distributor, filing false tax returns, and money laundering with a white-collar crime enhancement. The alleged crimes span more than seven years, from January 2017 to April 2024.

California levies a tax of $2.87 per 20-pack of cigarettes and 52.92% of the wholesale ...

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