BRIEF: Car dealer gets probation in cash payment scheme [The Stamford Advocate, Conn.]

Aug. 26--MONROE--A car dealer was sentenced to probation in U.S. District Court in Hartford for failing to report a cash transaction.

Joseph Brown Sr., 61, of Moss Road, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Christopher F. Droney to two years of probation after he pleaded guilty to one count of structuring a currency transaction.

Brown also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

Under federal law, a business that is not a financial institution must report a currency transaction of more than $10,000 to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network on an IRS Form 8300 within 15 days of the transaction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 12, 2007, Brown's car dealership, Platinum Motors of Ansonia, sold a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado to an undercover IRS special agent for $38,000 in cash.

Brown told the agent the transaction would be recorded in Platinum Motors' books to make it appear that the cost of the Silverado was to be paid over time, rather than upon delivery of the car.

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