Nassau Body Shop Owner Arrested on Tax Fraud Charges

The owner of two Nassau County collision repair shops, his wife and one of his employees were arrested Wednesday and charged with multiple crimes related to the operation of the businesses, as outlined in four separate indictments.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion announced the arrest of Jose Cardona, 38, his wife, Veronica Cardona, 38, both of Oceanside, and employee Peter Bifolco, 35, of Elmont.

Cardona is the owner and operator of No Limit Auto Body, Inc., also known as Perry’s Hub Auto Care, located at 10 Jerusalem Ave. in Hempstead; and Henry Street Auto Body, Inc., also known as No Limit Auto Body II, located at 110 Henry St. in Freeport. According to authorities, Cardona and No Limit allegedly collected but failed to remit to New York State more than $410,000 in sales taxes between June 2010 and June 2016, and similarly collected but failed to remit over $70,000 in sales tax between June 2011 and December 2015 from No Limit II.

Prosecutors further allege that Cardona and his wife filed a false personal income tax return for 2011 and failed to file personal income tax returns for 2012 and 2013, thereby underpaying more than $160,000 in personal income taxes. Additionally, prosecutors allege that Cardona, No Limit and employee Peter Bifolco committed felony insurance fraud by allegedly adding additional damage to a car brought to the shop for repair and then billing for more than $3,000 in unnecessary repairs.

“It’s unacceptable for companies to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes while ordinary New Yorkers are following the law and paying their fair share,” said Schneiderman. “There is one set of tax laws for everyone in New York, and my office will continue to hold accountable anyone who attempts to dodge their responsibility under the law.”

The first indictment charges Cardona and No Limit with second-degree grand larceny, three counts of second-degree criminal tax fraud, third-degree criminal tax fraud, fourth-degree criminal tax fraud and 16 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

The second indictment charges Cardona and No Limit II with second-degree grand larceny, three countds of third-degree criminal tax fraud, fourth-degree criminal tax fraud and 14 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

The third indictment charges Cardona and his wife with two counts of second-degree criminal fax fraud, third-degree criminal tax fraud and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

The fourth indictment charges Cardona, No Limit and Bifolco with one count each of third-degree grand larceny, third-degree insurance fraud, second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree falsifying business records.

The three were arraigned before the Hon. Meryl Berkowitz. Bail was set at $60,000 bond or $20,000 cash for Jose Cardona. Veronica Cardona and Peter BiFolco were both released on their own recognizance.

If convicted of the top charge, Cardona faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison; Bifolco and Veronica Cardona each face up to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

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