Oregon Department of Justice

Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced the conviction of Bahadur Singh, Salem, Oregon, for violations of the state's tobacco tax laws. Singh, who owned and operated numerous Center Market convenience stores throughout the state, was found guilty of felony charges of Unlawful Distribution of Tobacco Products and Engaging In Business As A Tobacco Products Distributor Without A License following a bench trial before Marion County Circuit Court Judge John B. Wilson.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by officials from the Oregon Tobacco Tax Compliance Task Force, which includes the Oregon Department of State Police, Oregon Department of Justice, and Oregon Department of Revenue. Investigators confirmed that Singh was a central figure in an organized criminal scheme to illegally import untaxed tobacco products from the states of Washington and New Jersey for resale in Oregon. From 2003 to 2006 this scheme evaded $367,085 in tax payments.

A sentencing hearing has been set for January 31, 2008.