Out-of-state companies that skirted Connecticut’s fee, tax and rules structure to operate illegally here disgorged more than $1.2 million to state taxpayers in fiscal 2010, authorities say.
The state collected fines from 373 companies incorporated outside Connecticut that operated illegally in the state during the fiscal year from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, according to Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.
The $3,224.23 average fine was 18 percent greater than in the previous fiscal period, due largely to the state’s crackdown and lawmakers nearly doubling fines, effective last Oct. 1, to $300 a month for unregistered scofflaws, Bysiewicz said.
The secretary of the state said her office collaborated with the state attorney general to identify rogue businesses, impose fines and collect the penalties. Fines go into the state’s General Fund.
“The fines help hold these companies accountable to Connecticut consumers, and level the playing field for in-state businesses,” Bysiewicz said in a statement Tuesday. “This improves the overall business climate in our state for those entrepreneurs that want to start a small firm and succeed. We have zero tolerance for companies that evade the law and we will continue to fight against fraud.”
In the last four years, registration scofflaws have paid $5.1 million in fines to Connecticut taxpayers, Bysiewicz said.
