Judge rules against Cayugas in cigarette-tax case

State Supreme Court Judge Kenneth Fisher issued a written decision on Tuesday supporting Cayuga and Seneca counties' right to pursue a felony tax evasion investigation against the Cayuga Nation.

In the ruling, Fisher said that the nation's two Lake Side Trading stores located in Seneca Falls and Union Springs are not on a recognized reservation and must therefore follow all tax laws established by the state.

Nearly 3.5 million untaxed cigarettes were seized during a joint raid on the two businesses by Seneca and Cayuga county sheriff's deputies on Nov. 25.