LIVERPOOL -- A local florist will spend the next five years on probation for stealing tens of thousands of dollars in taxes.
Christine Wojtalewski, owner and operator of Chris' Flowers Etc. at 141 First Street in Liverpool pleaded guilty on March 25 to a felony larceny charge. The 45-year-old admits she stole more than $110,000 in sales tax collected from her customers over seven years.
Wojtalewski has already made restitution to the state for the taxes owed, but still owes penalties and fines. She could have faced up to 15 years in state prison, but instead was given 5 years probation.
Investigators say the florist was collecting sales tax for years, but never registered to collect the tax, filed a sales tax return to remitted any of the tax collected to the state.
Between June 1, 2001 and August 31, 2008, investigators say Wojtalewski collected $114,353 in sales tax that she failed to report or pay to the state.
