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Article: LAW FIRMS CASH IN BIG ON EMPIRE ZONE TAX BREAKS; IT'S PERFECTLY LEGAL, AND THEY'RE IN A POSITION TO KNOW.(SERIES: THE GREAT EMPIRE ZONE GIVEAWAY)(News)
- Article from:
- The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
- Article date:
- March 18, 2007
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Byline: Michelle Breidenbach and Mike McAndrew Staff writers
All over New York, clever lawyers have helped wealthy energy companies and shopping malls, century-old factories and even low-wage taverns win state tax breaks intended for someone else.
The lawyers also helped themselves.
Syracuse, Albany and Buffalo law firms - some of Upstate New York's oldest, healthiest and most politically entrenched institutions - erased their state tax bills with Empire Zone benefits, according to recently released records that provide the first public accounting of the program.
At least 70 law firms cost state taxpayers more than $6 million in 2005, ...