ALBANY, NY (09/14/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Jamie Woodward today announced that a Cheektowaga man faces felony tax crimes charges for his role in trafficking 280,502 untaxed cigars and six pounds of loose tobacco.

Charged in the case was Jasem Hasan, 52, 1174 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga. Hasan was arrested on September 3 by state Tax Department investigators following an investigation. During the arrest agents found the untaxed cigars, which represent an estimated $45,000 in unpaid taxes to the state of New York.

Hasan was charged with Attempt to Evade Tax, a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in state prison; Tax Fraud in the Third Degree, a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in state prison; Possession of Untaxed Cigars and a charge of being Unregistered as a Tobacco Distributor, both misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in prison.