Greetings! We hope you are having a thoughtful and fruitful week! This edition includes information about an alcohol importer who pleaded guilty to smuggling and related crimes, and the sad news of the passing of Jeff Greer and Dan Gwadowsky.
In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce. Please send any questions or comments to the Executive Liaison for Industry Matters at IndustryLiaison@ttb.gov and/or StateLiaison@ttb.com.
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ALCOHOL IMPORTER ADMITS SMUGGLING DISTILLED SPIRIT FROM KOREA INTO THE UNITED STATES, RELATED CRIMES
On August 11, 2011, Do Young "Nick" Lee, 42, of Tysons Corner, VA, pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling, money laundering, and evasion of excise tax. Lee entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman in Camden federal court.
Lee, who operated a business that imported alcohol from Korea, admitted to smuggling a distilled spirit into the United States, failing to pay the proper taxes on the imports, and laundering the profits back into the operation, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
The smuggling charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the money laundering charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine; and the evasion of excise tax charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18, 2011.
View the official Press Release for more information.
JEFF GREER
Source: National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA)
With the greatest sadness, the NCSLA wishes to inform its membership of the passing of JEFFREY GREER of RHODE ISLAND. Jeff was a past president of the NCSLA serving from July 1, 2003 to June 30 2004. Jeff and his beloved wife NANCY SMITH GREER were long time supporters of the NCSLA, friends to many and respected by all.
On behalf of the NCSLA we extend condolences to Jeff's wife and family on their loss and will keep them in our thoughts in this time of their bereavement.
DAN GWADOWSKY
Source: National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA)
It is with great sadness that we inform you Dan Gwadosky succumbed to his battle with cancer on August 11.
Dan had an honorable record of public service spanning three decades in his home state of Maine. He served nine terms in the Maine House of Representatives, where he was the assistant majority floor leader and house majority leader before being elected the 92nd speaker of the Maine House by his colleagues. Dan also served eight years as Maine's 46th secretary of state.
Dan was appointed director of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations in January, 2005. As director, he served on the NABCA Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Association for the 2010-2011 year. Dan's tenure as chairman was a successful one, as he improved the channels of communication between all stakeholders in the industry and effectively conveyed the effectiveness of Control Systems.
Our hearts go out to Dan's family at this time. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, his son Joshua, and his daughter Jessica.