Source: http://www.news10.net/news/article/251655/2/Sports-cars-1M-seized-from-major-cigar-executive
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has seized over $1 million and three high end sports cars from an executive of the world’s largest cigar manufacturer.
According to federal court documents filed in the Eastern District of California, the ATF seized funds from two separate bank accounts connected to Alex Goldman, the president of Royal Gold Cigars. Royal Gold Cigars is the premium cigar division of Swisher International, the world’s largest cigar maker.
About $538,000 was seized from an ING Direct checking account associated with Goldman on May 23, 2013. The ATF also seized a 2011 Ferrari California convertible, a 2011 Audi A5 convertible and a 2013 Porsche Panamera, all with New Jersey plates.
The same day, the ATF also seized $546,000 from a Wachovia bank account connected to Goldman and Harold Levinson and Associates. The website for Harold Levinson and Associates describes themselves as “one of the nation’s largest full line convenience store distributors.”
The court documents don’t spell out the relationship between Goldman and Harold Levinson and Associates, but Goldman was the owner and CEO of House of Oxford Distributors, which was sold to Harold Levinson and Associates in 2010, according to Goldman’s LinkedIn page.
A press release from Swisher International said Goldman was brought on as president of Royal Gold Cigars earlier this year.
The ATF would not comment on the story, saying it’s an ongoing investigation, but a Department of Justice spokesperson did say there was a connection to Sacramento.
All other documents related to the case are sealed.
News10 will update the story as we learn more.