https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/04/12/le-fisc-est-aux-trousses-dun-ancien-chef-des-hellsThe Taxman is on the heels of a former Hells chief
Salvatore Cazzetta refuses for over 20 years to pay $ 393,000 to Revenu Québec
The taxman must work hard to recover nearly $ 400,000 from a former leader of the Hells Angels, in taxes on illegal income he failed to declare more than 20 years ago.
Salvatore Cazzetta, who led the Hells between 2011 and 2015, and lawyers from the Quebec Revenue Agency will have an appointment before the highest court in the province to try to settle this dispute, ordered the Court of Appeal last Friday.
Revenu Québec claims $ 393,000 in taxes evaded on income not declared by the influential Hells Angel between the years 1989 and 1996, as well as penalties for its delays.
At that time, Cazzetta was still part of the Rock Machine, the former enemy band of Hells he founded with his brother Giovanni, in 1989.
The biker from the Saint-Henri district - who had not filed a tax return for the eight years in question - would have earned over $ 105,000 in annual earnings during this period, according to tax calculations based on an investigation. the late Carcajou squad at the expense of the Rock Machine.
Salvatore Cazzetta, however, disputes the merits of this assessment. In particular, he argues that in 1994 he began serving a lengthy prison sentence in the United States - for plotting to import 200 kg of cocaine - and therefore was unable to withdraw any income from his cell.
Ready to pay half
The man who is nicknamed "The Beard" is still ready to negotiate a settlement to pay his debt by paying up to $ 200,000 in the coffers of the state, ie half of the tax claim. dispute.
Cazzetta began talks with Revenu Québec in 2017 after recovering $ 250,000 from SPVM police officers in another police investigation in 2009 against a network of tobacco smugglers.
This money, which the police regarded as a product of crime, had to be returned to the rider when he was released from any charge after successfully filing a Jordan-style petition alleging unreasonable delays in the court system.
No verbal agreement
Revenu Québec believed that it had reached an amicable agreement with the tax lawyer who represented Cazzetta in the fall of 2017.
But the veteran Hells Angel has denied this verbal agreement, which he has never ratified, disavowing at the same time the lawyer in question.
In January, the 64-year-old rider convinced a Superior Court judge that this agreement was invalid.
Salvatore Cazzetta is part of a group of 23 members or associates of the Hells Angels who have filed lawsuits totaling more than $ 91 million against the state in the past year, alleging that they have been unfairly accused and detained in some police investigations, whose operation SharQc.
WHO IS SALVATORE CAZZETTA
Member of the SS of Pointe-aux-Trembles at the same time as the former chief of Hells Maurice Boucher, in the 1980s
Found the Rock Machine with his brother Giovanni, in 1989
Incarcerated in the United States during the deadly war between the Hells and the Rock Machine, from 1994 to 2000
Becomes a member of the Hells after being released from prison in 2005
Alleged leader of the Hells between 2011 and 2015
Gets the stay of proceedings three times, between 2011 and 2017, being released from the charges against him in as many police operations
