Annapolis, MD (February 26, 2008) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that agents from his Field Enforcement Division confiscated a 2006 International Tractor and AIM Tanker Trailer along with its contents of 7,500 gallons of ultra low sulfur untaxed highway diesel as it was about to be unloaded at a Washington County trucking company. The vehicle and its contents are valued in excess of $125,000 and would have represented a motor fuel tax loss to the State of Maryland of $1,818.75.
“Stopping the illegal shipment and theft of fuel is a top priority,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “We will not tolerate this kind of blatant disregard for Maryland and federal tax laws. I commend my field enforcement division and thank all our partner law enforcement agencies across the state for their assistance as we continue to crack down on tax scofflaws that cheat the people of Maryland.”
On Monday, February 25, 2008 at approximately 12:00 p.m., a fuel transport truck displaying the name of State Petroleum Distributors from Olyphant, Pa. was observed as it was being operated in the area of I-81 and Halfway Blvd., in the Hagerstown, MD area. The vehicle, which was not recognized as one frequently observed in this area, was followed to its destination at National Freight Inc. in Hagerstown where the driver began to unload the illegal content.
The driver was approached and identified as Robert M. Benelisha, Jr., a 53 year old white male, of 312 Seven Points Road, Sunbury, Pa. 17801. The driver produced a loading ticket indicating that he had loaded 7500 gallons of clear ultra law sulfur diesel fuel earlier today at Petro Products Corp. in Mechanicsburg, Pa. and intended to deliver the entire load to National Freight, Inc. Upon further examination, it was found that State Petroleum Distributors are not licensed with the Comptroller for the sale of fuel and the load of fuel was not Maryland tax paid.
The driver was subsequently charged with (1) Unlawfully engaging in the business of a special fuel seller without a license issued by the Comptroller, a misdemeanor carrying a fine not to exceed $1000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both; and, (2) Unlawfully transporting motor fuel without registering with the Comptroller, also a misdemeanor with a fine not to exceed $1,000.
The confiscated cargo of fuel was unloaded and sold to a nearby licensed account for a total of $25,446.75 and the vehicle was stored at the Comptroller's lab in Jessup, Maryland where it will be held pending a hearing on this matter. Thus far this fiscal year, agents for the Comptroller have charged a total of 27 individuals with motor fuel violations and this marks the first confiscation representing a tax loss to the State.
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Contact: Caron Brace, (410) 260-7438 (office), (410) 212-9414 (cell)
