Worst Tax Cheats Could Help Reduce Deficit By $7 Billion
SAN RAMON, Calif -- California ramped up its effort to collect unpaid taxes this week by publishing a list of the people and companies with the biggest delinquent tax bills.
One of the biggest offenders is Wells Interiors, a window blind company out of San Ramon. It's tax bill stands at $2.4 million.
By itself, that amount doesn't make much of a dent in the state deficit. But if the San Ramon company and others delinquent individuals and businesses paid the back taxes owed, the state's deficit would instantly shrink from $9 billion to $2 billion.
According to the state franchise tax board, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Scott Walchek is the Bay Area resident who owes the most at $2.9 million.
But naming names.and getting paid are two different things.
KTVU went to the address of Behroz Akbarpour, who is currently on the hook for $1.5 million in back taxes. KTVU found new owners had moved into his sprawling 4,000 square foot San Ramon home.
There was no answer at the Oakland address for the worst Bay Area business tax cheat. The state claims shipping-container company C & JD USA Inc. owes more than $16 million.
Wells Interiors owes more than $2 million. It too was long gone from the San Ramon address on state records when KTVU tried to contact the company.
Anita Gore of the California Board of Equalization says everyone on the list is breaking the law.
"They are cheating Californians out of things that they would otherwise be able to enjoy," said Gore.
