Build your foundation. Avoid costly mistakes. Get grounded in the essentials of export controls and compliance. This session covers the key regulations, common pitfalls (including dual-use items), and why compliance matters – because mistakes can carry serious consequences. Perfect for…
DOJ: Los Angeles Clothing Importer Sentenced for $17 Million Tax Evasion and $8 Million Customs Fraud in Operation Take Back America
DOJ: Los Angeles Clothing Importer Sentenced for $17 Million Tax Evasion and $8 Million Customs Fraud in Operation Take Back America
October 11, 2025/
The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of a wholesale clothing importer based in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District for orchestrating a large-scale customs fraud and tax evasion scheme. Federal prosecutors detailed how the company systematically undervalued imported apparel, primarily sourced from China and other countries, while exporting the goods to customers across Mexico, Central America, and South America. Investigators uncovered more than 500 wire transfers totaling over $137 million used to pay overseas suppliers for falsely declared merchandise. In total, the company understated the value of imports by more than $51 million, resulting in approximately $8.4 million in unpaid customs duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The company’s president was sentenced to 103 months in federal prison, fined $8 million, and ordered to pay more than $19 million in restitution. The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, a DOJ-led initiative targeting complex financial crimes and transnational criminal activity.
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