Former Albany Mayor Convicted of Violating State Tax Laws

As Mayor of Albany, Belhumeur was considered a lightning rod, fighting anti-gay groups, council members, and surviving a recall effort.

The former Albany area tobacco store retailer who owned and operated Snooky’s in Albany, pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court. Photo: Tim King

(ALBANY, Ore.) - The for mayor of Albany, Oregon, Eugene Belhumeur, was convicted today for violations of the state’s tobacco tax laws.

The former Albany area tobacco store retailer who owned and operated Snooky’s in Albany, pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court to charges of Unlawful Distribution of Tobacco Products, Engaging in Business as a Tobacco Products, Distributor without a License, and Failure to File a Tobacco Tax Return.

Jan Margosian with the Attorney General's Office says the case was investigated and prosecuted by the state’s Tobacco Tax Compliance Task Force, which includes the Oregon Department of State Police, the Oregon Department of Justice, and the Oregon Department of Revenue.

"Investigators confirmed that for several years, Belhumeur illegally purchased untaxed tobacco products from a New Jersey-based tobacco distributor. Belhumeur then sold the tobacco without reporting and paying the tax owed to the Department of Revenue, a violation of state law."

She says Belhumeur was ordered to pay a compensatory fine, including taxes owed, of $20,800 to the Department of Revenue, perform 200 hours of community service and serve five years of supervised probation.