NEW YORK.- FBI agents are currently investigating art dealer Larry Gagosian. He had sold art works to Sam Waksal and had reccommended sending the works to the New Jersey headqaurters of ImClone to avoid paying sales tax. The federal agents are investigating if other clients of Gagosian did not pay sales taxes. Gagosian commented that he was cooperating with the federal agents.
According to Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jim Comey, Waksal’s tax dodge was similar to charges filed against former Tyco chief Dennis Kozlowski. He is accused of evading $1 million in taxes by shipping art through his company’s offices in New Hampshire.
According to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau around 40 wealthy art collectors have come forward to pay about $6 million in taxes since Kozlowski’s indictment.
The names of these people, some of whom are well-known business and social leaders were not released.