Larchmont Couple Arraigned On Grand Larceny and Tax Evasion Charges

WHITE PLAINS, NY, July 8, 2010 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore (left) and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward announced today that after a 12 month investigation conducted by Investigators from the Westchester County District Attorney’s office and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Special Investigations Unit, two individuals and three New York State corporations have been charged with Grand Larceny and Repeated Failure to File Tax Returns.

Denise MacDonald (DOB 03/22/63) of 21 Jochum Avenue, Larchmont, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging her with:

• two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, class “C” Felonies,
• one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• two counts of Repeated Failure to File Personal Tax Returns, class “E” Felonies,
• one count of Repeated Failure to File Corporate Tax Returns, a class “E” Felony.

Christopher MacDonald (DOB 02/17/57) of 21 Jochum Avenue, Larchmont, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging him with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• two counts of Repeated Failure to File Personal Tax Returns, class “E” Felonies.

In addition C.W.M. Horticultural Services, Inc., a landscaping company, of 1943 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging the business with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony.

Twinkle Toes Baby, Inc., a baby clothing store with two stores, one in Rye and the other of 1943 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging the business with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• one count of Repeated Failure to File Personal Tax Returns, class “E” Felony.

Wish Home Styles, Inc., a home furnishings store with a sales location in Rye with an address of 1943 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging the business with:

• one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony.

Over a period of eleven years, from 1998 through to 2009 the defendants who owned and operated the three businesses, collected New York State sales tax and failed to remit the money to New York State.

In addition the defendants, since at least 2004 failed to pay personal income tax to New York State.

The combined larcenies from their failure to pay New York State Tax from the three businesses and their personal income tax are in excess of $500,000.

Bail was set at $10,000 cash for Denise MacDonald and $5,000 cash for Christopher MacDonald.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for September 28^th, 2010.

They face a maximum of five to fifteen years in state prison on the top charge.

Assistant District Attorney Nicole Gamble of the Economic Crimes Bureau will prosecute the case.