Stealing a lot of dough

A Levittown man who owned six Pap John’s pizza franchises, including one in Inwood, was charged with stealing more than $800,000 in state sales tax.

Ajay Choudhary, 38, was arrested on March 12 by Nassau County District Attorney investigators. The arrest came about through a joint investigation between the DA’s office, the state’s Department of Taxation an Finance and Papa John’s International, Inc.

Between May 31, 2005 and Aug. 31 of last year, Choudhary didn’t remit more than $800,000 in sales tax money and falsified quarterly tax returns as he under-reported sales at his restaurants, according to Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice. Choudhary currently owns Papa John’s stores in Inwood, Valley Stream, Freeport, Uniondale and Hicksville and is the former owner of one in Farmingdale.

“Mr. Choudhary made a victim of out every New Yorker when he stole taxpayer money that is earmarked to fund the operation of our state and its essential programs,” Rice said.

Choudhary was charged with grand larceny-second degree, three counts of criminal tax fraud-second degree, 19 counts of offering a false instrument for filing-first degree. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

“By partnering to investigate cases of sales tax evasion, we are ensuring a level playing field for the vast majority of businesses that comply with their tax responsibilities,” said Thomas H. Mattox, the state commissioner of Taxation and Finance.