Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 40-year-old Jason W. Seefeldt of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

Between December 1, 2015 and May 31, 2019, the defendant, while working as the owner of Jay’s Wiseguy’s Pizza, LLC, failed to pay $298,458.30 in sales tax to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

The defendant also underreported his income on his personal tax reports in 2016, 2017 and 2018, resulting in his failure to pay an additional $160,242.00 in taxes owed to New York State. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant was permitted to plead to only the felony charge related to his business, a pizzeria located on Seneca Street in South Buffalo.

While the defendant only admitted to the one crime, he signed a Confession of Judgment, which will require him to pay the full restitution amount of $458,700.30 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance over the next five years.  

Seefeldt faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charge is non-qualifying for bail.

DA Flynn commends the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for their work in the investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robin J. Deubler of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.