IRS agent busted for stealing $43 worth of comics 0

[Ares]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Oct-25-Tue-2005/news/3989985.html

 

Owner of comics store accuses IRS agent anew

 

By GLENN PUIT

REVIEW-JOURNAL

 

An Internal Revenue Service agent accused of stealing comic books from a Las Vegas store was previously suspected of swiping other books from the store without paying, the store's owner testified in court Monday.

 

"I'd been watching him for months, actually," said Steven Riddle, owner of Velvet Underground Comics, 4241 W. Charleston Blvd.

 

"I knew he had been hiding comic books(and) taking them out of the store," Riddle said.

 

Riddle made the allegations Monday during a contentious preliminary hearing for IRS agent Bert Lott in Las Vegas Justice Court. Authorities arrested Lott on a burglary count after they said he took 14 comic books from Riddle's store near Arville Street without paying in July.

 

Tempers flared during the proceedings in the courtroom of Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis.

 

Just minutes into the hearing, defense attorney Bill Terry asked Lippis to remove a Review-Journal photographer from her courtroom and to confiscate the film in the photographer's camera. Terry argued that permission to allow photos in the courtroom had not been formally granted.

 

Lippis denied both requests.

 

Later, Terry repeatedly raised his voice in questioning Riddle, asking whether the store owner keeps records necessary for tax purposes.

 

Riddle, visibly shaken, said Terry "is trying to upset me."

 

Then, Riddle got on the judge's nerves because he continued to talk through attorneys' objections. He also did not directly answer a number of questions from Terry. An exasperated Lippis finally delayed the hearing a week.

 

"I hope everyone's manners are much better," the judge said.

 

Before the continuance, Riddle said Lott was a regular at the store, at times coming in three times a week. Riddle said he repeatedly watched Lott take comics and place them in sections of the store where they were not supposed to be, then wait for store employees to get busy before leaving. Riddle said he eventually became suspicious Lott was taking comics without paying for them. He claimed to have witnessed such a scenario on at least two occasions, but said he did not call police in those instances because he wanted to have another witness to the incident.

 

On July 8, Riddle said, he saw Lott come into the store and advised employees to "watch him."

 

"I told them not to take their eyes off Bert," Riddle said. "Watch him the entire time."

 

Riddle said Lott purchased less than $10 of comics, then said he wanted to do some more shopping.

 

"Most people, after they purchase something, they leave," Riddle said.

 

But Riddle said Lott set down his bag containing his purchased comics, then milled about the store, taking books from one location of the store and putting them in another.

 

Riddle said Lott was eventually stopped by a store clerk and comics that weren't paid for were found in his bag.

 

"He just tried to make a quick exit," Riddle said.

 

Terry then questioned Lott on whether he ever actually saw Lott put the comics in the bag, whether Riddle adequately documents sales at his business for tax purposes, and whether Lott ever actually left the premises.

 

According to a Las Vegas police report, the comics were worth about $43. The titles included "Vampirella," "Witchblade" and "Avengers." Lott told police he was on duty at the time of the arrest, and police reports state that officers confiscated his service gun.

[squidmo2000]

You would think IRS agents would get paid enough not to have to resort to such lowly levels.(but they are so quick to bust my chops about the $1500 I wrote off as work clothes) ..he would have looked better robbing porn.Free Winona!

[whetteon]

I like how the theif tries and turns the table by questioning his taxes. That's just low.

[nearmint]

IRS agents carry a service weapon?

[Silver]

My friend used to go to that comic book store, the owner is a total whack job.

[Aman619]

who wants to bet that store gets audited every year for a while???

[jordanscott]

IRS agents carry a service weapon?

 

i second that

[Timulty]

Yeah, expect audits....Subpoenas the whole works. I wouldn't be surprise that an IRS agent would steal comics, not even that small amount. Kleptomania affects people from all walks of life. Even IRS agents.

[Mister_Comics]

Not to get off topic, just curious. In Illinois they don't charge tax on paper products. Was wondering if thats the same in other states.

[Aces]

IRS agents carry a service weapon?

 

i second that

 

Yes.

 

So do Food and Drug admistration agents.

[MK Ultra]

I think the tax records relate to the purchases he made vs the comics allegedly put in after the purchase. You know, how can he prove what was in his bag was stolen vs purchased. I dunno, sounds guilty to me, but it's reasonable doubt.

[Timulty]

It sounds like he is subtly trying to say "Let's look at your tax records to what dirty little secrets we may find" vs actually proving his innocence. The shop keep should have a security cam or something to keep his product from walking out the door.

[Sharkey]

You would think IRS agents would get paid enough not to have to resort to such lowly levels.(but they are so quick to bust my chops about the $1500 I wrote off as work clothes) ..he would have looked better robbing porn.Free Winona!

 

Money rarely enters into it. Most shoplifters steal because of the rush, not because of need.

 

A friend of mine owns a cigar shop/lounge in the North Shore Chicago suburbs -- high rent area. The majority of customers are very wealthy individuals (except me, I'm the trailer trash ).

 

The number of people he's caught stealing $8 cigars is unreal. They can afford them, they just don't want to pay or feel entitled or like the thrill of "beating the system". Whatever.

 

The ironic thing is there's a kind of divy locals bar about a block away and a lot of the customers from there come to his shop to buy tobacco and they are not the problem. It's the big $$ biz guys in Armani suits that try to rip him off. Go figure

[Ares]

IRS agents carry a service weapon?

 

considering the fact many People hate the IRS it probably for self defence

[mica]

IRS agents carry a service weapon?

 

considering the fact many People hate the IRS it probably for self defence

Anyone remember the movie "For Richer or Poorer" starring Tim Allen? In the movie he is on the run from financial trouble and hangs out with the Amish.

A special agent played by Larry Miller was after Allen and he certainly was kooky just like the above mentioned agent.

[sellinMyYouth]

A Second IRS collection?

[chad minton]

He is still operating a cash only business  13 years later. The IRS should have a look at Velvet Underground’s accounting practices 

[Robot Man]

[Domo Arigato]

18 hours ago, chad minton said:

He is still operating a cash only business  13 years later. The IRS should have a look at Velvet Underground’s accounting practices 

Welcome to the boards, Bert!

[Buzzetta]

The owner of the store MIGHT be a whack job.

Maybe the owner of the store DIDN"T pay his taxes. 

 

Here is my only question... 

 

Did the IRS Agent try to shoplift?  Everything else is irrelevant.