Popular Sanford Restaurant Owner Draws 8 Month Jail Sentence for Stealing Sales Tax

01/27/2016 02:19 PM EST

AUGUSTA - Attorney General Janet Mills announced today that Christo Stratos, 69, of Wells, Maine, was sentenced to serve 8 months in jail after pleading guilty to multiple counts of: Theft by Misapplication of Sales Tax; Intentional Evasion of Sales Tax; and Failure to Truthfully Collect, Account, and Pay Over Sales Tax. Stratos committed the crimes in connection with his operation of the restaurant Christo's Place in Sanford.

From 1999 through 2014 Stratos collected sales tax from restaurant patrons, but turned over only a fraction of that tax to the Maine Revenue Services. Instead, he significantly underreported his gross sales and the resulting sales tax. Stratos stole a total of $243,902 in collected sales tax during this time frame. Stratos admitted to the Maine Revenue Services' criminal investigators that he thought it was "commonplace" for business owners to underreport collected sales tax.

York County Superior Court Justice Lance Walker sentenced Stratos to 4 years, with all but 8 months suspended, and 3 years of probation. The State already has recovered $100,000 from Stratos and will be recovering an additional $50,000 before Stratos begins his sentence on February 8, 2015. Stratos also was ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $93,902. Attorney General Mills commented, "Business owners are entrusted to collect sales tax on behalf of the State and properly pay it over to Maine Revenue Services. My Office will pursue and prosecute individuals who abuse this trust and steal these taxes." This case was investigated by the Maine Revenue Services' Criminal Investigations Unit. Assistant Attorney General Gregg D. Bernstein handled this matter for the Attorney General's Criminal Division.

AG Mills Shares Safe Shopping Tips for Families

12/11/2015 03:36 PM EST

AUGUSTA - Attorney General Janet T. Mills wishes to share information and resources to ensure that the brightly wrapped gifts being exchanged this holiday season contain no unwanted surprises and to remind families to set ground rules for the proper and safe enjoyment of digital devices year-round.

"There is nothing like seeing the joy of a child opening a gift," said Attorney General Mills. "But if that gift is a digital device, parents should be thinking now about how to most appropriately use that gift in the months to come. Ask yourself if your child should have 24/7 access to the internet and how you can establish clear, consistent rules for the use of these devices in your home. Review with your child what information they can share on social media and reinforce how quickly private' information and photos can become public. Remind them that the golden rule' also applies to their online behavior - they need to treat others with respect online."

Once families decide to purchase a gaming device, tablet, computer or smart phone, it can be difficult for parents to keep up with the rapidly evolving array of games, websites and apps that appeal to young people. Parents should review and monitor what sites and apps their child uses to ensure they are age appropriate. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB.org), the non-profit organization that assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps, offers a list of helpful tips for parents who want to ensure they make the right choices for their families, from fulfilling their kids' wish lists to ensuring their playing time is appropriately managed and safe. Local retailers are well versed in the ratings system and can provide advice at the point of sale.

"We are pleased that organizations like the Entertainment Safety Rating Board assigns age and content ratings to video games and mobile apps to help Mainers make the right choices for their families. We are glad that Attorney General Mills is helping spread the word to promote safe shopping this holiday season," stated Curtis Picard, executive director of the Retail Association of Maine.

There are websites that can help parents and children learn about the best games and apps for them and how to learn about smart online behaviors. Parents can also review their individual device to install settings that limit the content available.

OnGuardOnline.gov offers tips to parents and has information for other adults as well. ESRB.org assigns age and content ratings for games and mobile apps and has information and tips to help parents strike the right balance for kids between time spent with the game or app and time spent with the family, school work, extracurricular activities and other interests. CommonSenseMedia.org reviews apps, beyond the ESRB ratings, to help you determine if the app is right for your child. NetSmartzKids.org helps to educate your child about what information about themselves or their families can be shared on social media and how to prevent cyberbullying. SafeSurfingKids.com has a model contract' so that parents and kids know the rules governing their device use and online behavior ahead of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics has established guidelines for appropriate limits on screen time and access to media for children. Between school work, entertainment and ever present smartphones, kids are exposed to much more screen time now than ever before. Parents should be mindful of how much of their child's time is spent looking a screen.

"People should also consider the safety and age-appropriateness of traditional gift items for children," said Attorney General Mills. "Most toys have a recommended age on the package because it may contain small parts that pose a choking danger to a small child who puts items in their mouths. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a website with recalled children's products - everything from cribs and car seats to pajamas and toys. It pays to stay apprised of items that may have high lead levels or other hidden dangers."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC.gov) offers these three pieces of advice to holiday shoppers: 1. Choose age appropriate toys by reading the age label on the toy. For children younger than 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking. In particular avoid deflated or broken balloons, small parts or small balls. 2. Scooters and other riding toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times and they should be sized to fit. Avoid riding a scooter on a street or roadway with other motor vehicles. 3. Magnets - Children's magnetic toys are covered by a strong safety standard that prevents magnets from being swallowed. High-powered magnet sets, which are covered by a mandatory standard, also have small magnets that are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should also be kept away from small children.

"However you celebrate, I hope this season is filled with joy," said Attorney General Mills. "Taking a little extra time now to think about some of the responsibilities that come with giving a child an electronic device will ensure these gifts continue to deliver that joy for many months to come."

Reminder: Calls purporting to be from the IRS demanding a payment are a SCAM

12/04/2015 09:22 AM EST

(AUGUSTA) The Maine Attorney General's Office has noticed a recent increase in the number of Mainers calling to report they are the target of phone scams in which someone pretends to be calling to collect a debt owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills is reminding people to be aware that these are scams and they should not give people credit card information or wire money.

"The IRS scam and others like it are the most common complaint we receive," said Attorney General Mills. "However, we have noticed a recent spike in the number of people calling our office to alert us and to complain specifically about IRS scams. On Thursday alone we received 61 contacts from Maine people. These are often randomly dialed calls, but for some reason the 207 area code seems to be their target in recent weeks. People should not engage the callers and hang up the phone. Do not give them personal information and do not wire them money."

Here's how they work: Scammers posing as IRS officials call and say you owe taxes. They threaten to arrest you, or deport you, or revoke your license, or even shut down your business if you don't pay right away. They may know your Social Security number - or at least the last four digits of it - making you think it really is the IRS calling. They also can rig caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from Washington, DC.

You are the instructed to put the money on a prepaid debit card and tell them the number - something no government agency would ask you to do. Once you do it, you find out it was a scam, and the money is gone.

"No governmental agency or legitimate business will call you up and demand an immediate payment by credit card, wire transfer or by pre-paid debit card," said Attorney General Janet T. Mills. "If you receive one of these calls, do not answer any of their questions. Hang up the phone immediately."

If you owe - or think you owe - federal taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or go to irs.gov. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions. The IRS doesn't ask people to pay with prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, and doesn't ask for credit card numbers over the phone. When the IRS contacts people about unpaid taxes, they usually do it by mail, not by phone.

One Maine resident recorded his interaction with a scammer claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service and posted it to YouTube. The call illustrates several tactics used by phone scammers. They claimed to be from an entity that the target is familiar with and who he has the potential to owe money to - we all have to deal with the IRS at some point. When challenged about his authenticity, the scammer tried to reassure the target by giving a badge number in order to sound official. And finally, the payment could only be made by "Green Dot Money Pak," available at places like WalMart or drug store chains, and not by other means. The scammers are also not easily dissuaded; different people called repeatedly making the same claims in order to make him think they were legitimate.

Report IRS imposter scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) online or at 800-366-4484, and to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

If you have questions about these or other consumer matters, please contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Maine Attorney General's Office at 1(800) 436-2131 or consumer.mediation@maine.gov .

Attorney General's Office files civil rights action to halt interference with the right to safe and effective delivery of healthcare

Stock photo from Google, this photo is not of the Defendant in this case.

 

 

 

11/10/2015 10:13 AM EST

Augusta- Attorney General Janet Mills announced today that she has filed a complaint under the Maine Civil Rights Act against 26-year-old Brian Ingalls of Lisbon, Maine, for violating the rights of patients at a health care facility in Portland, Maine. The Attorney General's complaint alleges that during a protest outside the Planned Parenthood facility on October 23, 2015, Ingalls was yelling towards the second floor of the facility so loudly that his voice interfered with the delivery of health services. According to the Complaint, Ingalls was warned by a Portland Police Officer to stop yelling, but he persisted in the behavior.

The Maine Civil Rights Act protects the right of any person to receive any sort of medical services without disruptions caused by loud noises. Specifically, the statute makes it a civil rights violation to intentionally make noise at such a volume that it can be heard within a building where medical treatment is provided, when the violator has been warned to cease making such noise and when he has the intent to interfere with the safe and effective delivery of health services.

"All patients have the right to receive medical services free of the cacophony of political protests,' in the words of the United States Supreme Court," said Attorney General Mills. "While protestors have every right to say anything they want in a public area in the vicinity of a medical facility, they are not permitted to disrupt another citizen's health care services."

The Attorney General thanked the Portland Police Department for its cooperation in this case.

Maine joins coalition of 25 states, cities and counties in defense of EPA Clean Power Plan

 

 

 

11/04/2015 02:24 PM EST

(AUGUSTA) Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today Maine is joining a coalition of 25 states, cities and counties filing a motion to intervene to defend the federal Environmental Protection Agency's "Clean Power Plan" against legal challenge. The coalition's motion to intervene in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit responds to suits that several states and industry groups have filed challenging the rule. The Clean Power Plan rule requires fossil-fueled power plants, the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation, to cut their emissions pursuant to the Clean Air Act.

"Maine people in particular bear the burden of dirty power plants to the west," said Attorney General Mills. "Fossil fuel burning power plants beyond Maine's borders contribute not only to poor air quality locally, but they can also be blamed for fish consumption warnings due to mercury emitted from their smokestacks. The EPA needs to take steps to protect the health of Maine people and our environment by adopting the Clean Power Plan."

The EPA adopted the Clean Power Plan through a multi-year stakeholder process that drew heavily on the experience of states and utilities in reducing power plant greenhouse gas emissions.

The finalization of the Clean Power Plan marks the culmination of a decade-long effort by states and cities to require mandatory cuts in the emissions of climate change pollution from fossil fuel burning power plants under the Clean Air Act. The Clean Power Plan, along with the companion rule on new, modified, and reconstructed power plants, will control these emissions by setting limits on the amount of climate change pollution that power plants can emit. The rule for existing plants is expected to eliminate as much climate change pollution as is emitted by more than 160 million cars a year - or 70% of the nation's passenger cars.

The Attorneys General of New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia, the City of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boulder, South Miami and Broward County (FL) have all joined the coalition.

AG MILLS ISSUES ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS FOLLOWING EXPERIAN BREACH OF T-MOBILE USERS' DATA

 

10/06/2015 10:27 AM EDT

(AUGUSTA) Following reports that an unauthorized party was able to gain access to an Experian server that contained the personal information of more than 15 million T-Mobile users, including 12,068 Maine residents, Attorney General Janet T. Mills today offered consumers tips to guard against potential identity theft. "The Maine Attorney General's Office takes this breach very seriously and we are encouraging any T-Mobile customer to take pro-active steps to protect themselves from potential ID theft," Attorney General Mills said. "We anticipate working with Attorneys General across the country on this matter and have been in touch with representatives of Experian and T-Mobile. Experian is offering affected customers free credit monitoring for two years; I strongly advise any affected T-Mobile customers to take them up on this offer." According to T-Mobile and the credit reporting company Experian, the breach compromised data that was used by T-Mobile in connection with credit checks of individuals who applied for T-Mobile services from Sept. 1, 2013 through Sept. 16, 2015. The data included name, address, birthdate, Social Security numbers, other ID numbers (such as driver's license, military ID, or passport numbers), and additional information used in T-Mobile's credit assessment. The Maine Attorney General's Office offers consumers the following tips to guard against identity theft: Monitor your credit report. You are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus (you can request one free report from a different bureau every four months to monitor throughout the year). Request a "fraud alert" be placed on your on your accounts to alert you to any attempts to open a line of credit in your name by calling one of the national credit bureaus before they are approved. When you call, an initial fraud alert (90 days) will be placed on your credit report and a free copy of your credit report will be sent to you.

Consider placing a "security freeze" on your credit report to prohibit the release of any information from your report without your written authorization. (A freeze is currently subject to a fee, however a new law eliminates that fee after October 15, 2015).

Beware of phishing attempts and unsolicited calls or emails offering credit monitoring or identity theft services. Consumers should never provide their social security number, credit card or other personal information in response to unsolicited emails or calls.

If you find unexplained activity on your credit reports or if you believe you are the victim of identity theft, there are important steps to take to protect yourself. Contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131, review the Attorney General's Identity Theft webpage, contact regulators at the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 1-800-DEBT-LAW, or view the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft resource, available at: www.identitytheft.gov .

State AGs call for passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act

 

 

09/29/2015 03:59 PM EDT

(AUGUSTA) As states continue to address the epidemic of heroin and opioid-based painkiller abuse and addiction and its devastating effect on public health and safety in communities, Attorney General Janet T. Mills is joining attorneys general from 37 states and the District of Columbia today, in a bi-partisan letter to the leadership of the committees on the Judiciary for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (S. 524/HR 953). The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would provide states with the tools to confront the growing challenge of heroin and opioid abuse and addiction. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now surpass automobile accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death for Americans between the ages of 25 and 64. More than 100 Americans die as a result of overdose in this country every day - more than half of them caused by prescription drugs or heroin. In Maine in 2014 a record number of people died from drug overdose - 208. Heroin, fentanyl and prescription opiates are the primary cause of these deaths in Maine. "We know that addiction is a treatable disease, but we also know that only about 10 percent of those who need treatment are receiving it. And, while heroin and opioid abuse are the primary concern for states right now, we must move beyond simple responses to drug trends and emerging threats, and concentrate on improving addiction treatment and recovery nationwide," said Attorney General Mills. In the letter, the attorneys general write, "Law enforcement has always been on the frontline when it comes to drug crises, but we cannot arrest ourselves out of this epidemic. Research shows the best way to address this challenge is through a strategy that includes prevention, law enforcement, reduction of overdose deaths, evidence-based treatment, and support for those in, or seeking, recovery."

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 will: Expand prevention and educational efforts - particularly aimed at teens, parents and other caretakers, and aging populations - to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin and to promote treatment and recovery; Expand the availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders to help in the reversal of overdoses to save lives; Expand resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders promptly by collaborating with criminal justice stakeholders and by providing evidence-based treatment; Expand disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications to keep them out of the hands of children and adolescents; Launch an evidence-based opioids and heroin treatment and intervention program to assist in treatment and recovery throughout the country; and Strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion and to help at-risk individuals access services. "Only through a comprehensive approach that leverages evidence-based law enforcement and health care services, including treatment, can we stop and reverse the epidemic of drug addiction and death," added Attorney General Mills.

Attorney General Janet Mills Issues Statement Regarding Opinion of the Justices on Governor's Veto Actions

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills (from Google Images)

 

(AUGUSTA) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court today answered questions posed by the Governor regarding adjournments of the Legislature and his veto powers. Attorney General Janet T. Mills has issued the following comment regarding the Court's Opinion (OJ-15-2). http://www.courts.maine.gov/opinions_orders/supreme/lawcourt/2015/15me107oj.pdf

*"The Office of the Attorney General is pleased with the full and complete responses to the Governor's questions elucidated in the unanimous 47 page opinion today. The Opinion of the Justices is on all fours with all the research conducted by our Office and with the Opinion of the Attorney General of July 10, 2015. We are also pleased that the Court ruled expeditiously so as to avoid any further unnecessary debate and confusion. The answers to the Governor's questions are clear, unambiguous and completely consistent with his own past practice and with that of every other Governor in recent memory. Except when the Legislature has adjourned sine die, the Chief Executive has ten days (excluding Sundays) within which to return any bills with his objections. By his failure to do so, he has forfeited the right to veto any of the bills at issue."*

Attorney General Mills expressed her thanks to Deputy Attorney General Susan Herman and Assistant Attorney General Phyllis Gardiner for their efforts in this matter.

Dollar Tree Gets the Nod to Purchase Family Dollar Stores.

Attorney General Janet Mills Announces Terms of Settlement Allowing Dollar Tree to Acquire Family Dollar's stores

07/02/2015 04:55 PM EDT

(Augusta, Maine) - Maine Attorney General Janet Mills announced the terms of a settlement that she and 16 other States have reached with Dollar Tree, Inc., following their review of the company's proposed acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. The merger combines two large national chains of deep discount stores.

Working with the Federal Trade Commission, the State Attorneys General are requiring Dollar Tree to sell more than 300 Family Dollar store to a new competitor in order to complete the acquisition. All of the affected stores are to be sold and re-branded as Dollar Express stores, a new chain of deep discount stores being launched by Sycamore Partners.

Attorney General Mills said she was concerned that the merger would substantially lessen competition in several Maine markets and is requiring seven stores in Maine to be sold to Dollar Express. Those stores are located in: Caribou, Gray, Lewiston, Livermore Falls, Old Town, South Portland, and Waterville. In addition to these stores being sold to Dollar Express, Dollar Tree will be required to report or notify the Maine Attorney General's office of future acquisitions or store relocations or closings.

"These stores are located in both small towns and in our larger cities and suburbs," said Attorney General Mills. "We wanted to be sure that in areas where these stores were near each other that there would still be competition to offer the best prices and merchandise."

Attorney General Mills noted that her office worked with the Federal Trade Commission and the other Attorneys General in conducting a national review of the transaction. The Attorneys General have filed their lawsuit and proposed consent judgment in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia.

Sycamore Partners is expected to acquire the stores being divested over the coming few months and operate them under its Dollar Express banner.

Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) is headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, and operates more than 4,200 stores, including more than 25 stores in Maine. Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO) is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, and operates more than 8,000 stores nationwide, including approximately 60 stores in Maine.

Have You Had Work Done by "Bath Fitter"? If So, You Have a FREE Inspection Coming Your Way!

Reminder: Maine Bath Fitter Customers Entitled to Free Inspection

07/01/2015 03:53 PM EDT

(AUGUSTA) The Attorney General Janet T. Mills reminds consumers who received services from National Bath Systems, LLC, d/b/a Bath Fitter ("Bath Fitter"), that the deadline to request an inspection of their bath installation is September 1, 2015.

Attorney General Mills previously alleged that Bath Fitter engaged in unlicensed plumbing activities, used non-conforming construction contracts, installed plumbing before a plumbing permit issued, misrepresented employees' license status, and engaged in plumbing installations that may violate the Maine State Internal Plumbing Code.

Upon timely request by any homeowner with a Bath Fitter plumbing installation, Bath Fitter will provide a free inspection of the installation by an independent licensed plumber to determine compliance with the plumbing code. If the plumbing does not comply with the code, permits and corrections will be made at no cost to the consumer. Consumers have until September 1, 2015 to request a free inspection.

If you have a Bath Fitter installation in your home and wish a free inspection for compliance, please call Bath Fitter at 1-855-798-4646.