NJ Bagel Shop Owner Indicted for Failing to File Tax Returns and Remit $205K in Sales Taxes
Summary
New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Criminal Justice announced the indictment of Kristian J. Vozza, owner of The Bagel Bistro in Sparta, for allegedly failing to remit $205,336 in sales taxes to the New Jersey Division of Taxation from 2021-2024 and failing to file business tax returns during the same period. Vozza was charged with one count of second-degree theft by failure to make required disposition and 20 counts of third-degree tax-related offenses.
What changed
The New Jersey Division of Taxation's Office of Criminal Investigation and the Division of Criminal Justice jointly investigated Vozza Enterprises LLC, operating as The Bagel Bistro, and determined that the owner allegedly failed to remit $205,336 in collected sales taxes for the years 2021 through 2024 while also failing to file business tax returns during the same period.\n\nSmall retail businesses and food service operators should treat this indictment as a reminder that sales tax collection and remittance are legal obligations, not optional—failure to remit collected taxes constitutes theft and triggers criminal prosecution regardless of business size. Businesses should immediately review their tax compliance procedures and ensure all collected taxes are remitted timely to avoid similar enforcement action.
What to do next
- Ensure all sales taxes collected from customers are properly remitted to state tax authorities on time
- File all required business tax returns annually and maintain records for audit purposes
- Review internal controls for tax collection and remittance processes
Penalties
Second-degree theft in New Jersey is punishable by 5-10 years imprisonment and up to $150,000 fine; third-degree offenses carry up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $15,000 fine per count
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Business Owner Indicted for Failing to File Tax Returns, Turn Over Withheld Taxes
Business Owner Indicted for Failing to File Tax Returns, Turn Over Withheld Taxes
by NJOAG Communications WC | Apr 9, 2026 | bagel shop owner | Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) | Division of Taxation | failing to pay sales taxes | failure to file tax returns | failure to turn over collected | Indictment | joint investigation | Sparta | Sussex County | The Bagel Bistro | theft by failure to make required disposition of property received | withheld taxes | Division of Criminal Justice | Press Release |
For Immediate Release: April 9, 2026
Office of the Attorney General
– Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice – Theresa L. Hilton , *Director*
For Further Information:
Media Inquiries-
Matthew Reilly
OAGpress@njoag.gov
TRENTON – Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that a Sussex County, New Jersey, bagel shop owner was indicted for allegedly failing to pay more than $200,000 in sales taxes to the state of New Jersey.
Kristian J. Vozza, 48, of Sparta, New Jersey, was indicted on March 25, 2026, on one count of second-degree theft by failure to make required disposition of property received, four counts of third-degree failure to file tax returns, and 16 counts of third-degree failure to turn over collected, withheld taxes.
“Taxes are fundamental to a government that provides for all citizens,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Paying taxes is not optional, and those who choose to ‘opt out’ will be held accountable and be required to pay their fair share.”
“Businesses are responsible for remitting sales taxes on the products and services they sell,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We allege that this defendant failed to do so, and he is now charged accordingly. When someone fails to file their taxes, or to report all their tax information, we will take the appropriate action.”
According to the indictment, in June 2025, the New Jersey Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation began a joint investigation with DCJ regarding Vozza Enterprises LLC, doing business as The Bagel Bistro, a retail bagel shop owned by Vozza that sells breakfast sandwiches, subs, and other prepared foods.
Vozza allegedly did not remit sales tax to the Division of Taxation for the years 2021 through 2024 and did not file taxes on behalf of the business from 2021 through 2024. As a result of the joint investigation, it was determined that for the years 2021 through 2024, Kristian Vozza allegedly failed to remit $205,336 in sales tax to the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Joseph W. Tartaglia.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Defense counsel: TBD
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