Manning business owner charged with tax evasion granted bond

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A Manning businessman charged Thursday with tax evasion has gained his release from the Clarendon County Detention Center. Ibrahim Said, owner of Express Discount Tobacco on Paxville Highway in Manning, was granted a personal recognizance bond of $7,500 on Thursday afternoon after his arrest by local authorities at the behest of the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Said allegedly, from 2014-16, filed his business’ monthly sales tax returns and reported gross sales totaling $774,183. An investigation by the Department of Revenue found his actual sales for this same period were $2,032,511. “Suspect failed to report $1,258,328 in sales and evaded paying approximately $100,666 in sales tax due to the state of South Carolina,” the release states. Said faces three separate charges of tax evasion, and is looking at up to 15 years in prison and payment of a $30,000 in fines, along with restitution, if convicted.