IRS investigation in West Seattle: Agents at Admiral Pub

Multiple WSB readers sent word of Internal Revenue Service agents at Admiral Pub this morning, seen there as early as 7:30 am. Here’s what we have found out so far: A WSB crew has gone there twice to try to get information – the first time, we saw one man with IRS-CI on his jacket. He said he couldn’t comment but added he believed the pub would open as usual today. No vehicles or agents were visible outside at the time, but after another reader reported seeing agents carrying out boxes around 11 am, our crew went back; the agents were gone by the time we got there. Local U.S. Department of Justice spokesperson Emily Langlie tells WSB only that this is “an ongoing matter” and that there will be no further comment. The person who answered the pub’s phone also would not comment except to say they will indeed be open today.

Jim P. July 10, 2013 (1:04 pm)

This is pretty common in a tax investigation when there is suspicion (I emphasize *suspicion*) of possible major civil or criminal issues over taxes.

The records are seized to prevent anything vanishing and to provide opportunity to go over them in considerable detail (There really are such things as forensic accountants).

I wish the management and owners good luck in this, it’s never fun even if everything is on the up and up.

T Rex July 10, 2013 (1:09 pm)

Long ago, The Caddyshack was a very popular bar across the street from the Admiral and the IRS shut that down too!

WSB July 10, 2013 (1:11 pm)

Again just to be clear for those reading comments – this business is ***not*** shut down. Both they and the IRS agent we spoke with emphasized they would be open today as usual (and may well be open already – I don’t know their hours).

My Eye July 10, 2013 (1:22 pm)

It is also possible the IRS agents just really wanted something to drink.

Rick July 10, 2013 (1:39 pm)

Yeah,but I thought only cheap wine came in boxes.

Diane July 10, 2013 (1:40 pm)

there has been a lot of picketing re wage theft at this place of business this year; related?

rcl July 10, 2013 (2:24 pm)

about a month ago it looks like the business obtained new owners according to public records. Maybe that has something to do with it?

WSB July 10, 2013 (2:35 pm)

We noticed a liquor-license change but again, there is NO hint of what this is about and neither the agent onscene nor the federal media contact is commenting.
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A reminder to would-be commenters – we will not publish comments with allegations. This report is simply to say “here’s what was seen/here’s what we have found out” and not a reason for hearsay/accusations to springboard off it – if you have information you think would be helpful to investigators, please contact them directly.
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Re: the past picketing – the activist group claims on its website http://seasol.net that the situation was resolved. However, to date, there is nothing on file at the agency that investigates such claims, state Labor & Industries: https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/eces/Default.aspx
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Tracy

Questions? July 10, 2013 (3:34 pm)

Saw the IRS on our block where the owner resides! Pretty dramatic stuff seeing IRS/CID Agents hanging out on your block! Hope it gets settled soon…

Kayleigh July 10, 2013 (4:10 pm)

I must be seriously naive because I had no idea the IRS would actually physically come to your place of business with criminal investigation tags on their jackets. Just wow.

Richard July 10, 2013 (5:04 pm)

I’m the one who saw the agents carrying stacks of boxes out of the pub at 11 AM. They were shallow boxes, the kind that might contain papers, not booze. :)
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There were about 6 or 8 agents wearing black jackets that said “Police” on the back, loading stuff into a van in front of the pub. Until I got close I thought they were movers. There was also a police car parked around the corner on College St, and another one across from it in the ex-Blockbuster lot.

NW July 10, 2013 (5:49 pm)

Anyone remembr ,beside the now Mission, Raggazzi’s ? Cops were always visiting that joint busting folks for this and that. Man how I miss the old times here in Westside.

Seattlite July 10, 2013 (6:44 pm)

Around 11:30am IRS,CDI,police were in PCC’s west parking lot. At least 10 agents with black vests on were taking boxes/bags in and out of car trunks — totally bizarre. Does anyone know what they were doing in PCC’s parking lot?

The Hepcat July 10, 2013 (6:46 pm)

Perhaps they were donating to the wrong political party…….Sure, the IRS office in Ohio got wind of it and shut them down. Makes perfect sense.

Jim P. July 10, 2013 (8:42 pm)

“I must be seriously naive because I had no idea the IRS would actually physically come to your place of business with criminal investigation tags on their jackets. Just wow.”

When it’s a major or detailed investigation, this does happen. It’s sometimes simpler to enter the premises and go over records on-site to remove only what is needed (or in some cases to determine if there are things needing investigation because what is seen does not match what was reported)..not implying anything here, just outlining procedures.

I used to do this sort of thing (only involving PCs and computers rather than physical records as a rule) for the Treasury Department and Customs Service back in the day.

This could well be very routine and no one should read anything into it until and unless any charges are filed or they seize the premises.

Jim P. July 10, 2013 (8:51 pm)

“Does anyone know what they were doing in PCC’s parking lot?”

Usual procedure is to find a local parking lot big enough to handle the required staffing prior to going in but usually far enough away from the site being served with a warrant so as not to cause undue alarm (i.e. sudden bursts of paper shredding, record burning, sudden recollection of an appointment in Venezuela and/or gunfire in extreme cases.)

Local PD is usually brought in as both a courtesy and to handle local traffic and possible crowd and perimeter control as well as any information they may have as to the presence of firearms or armed individuals. Any search or seizure warrant is treated with the potential to go deadly wrong until the premises are secured and everyone accounted for.

Seattlite July 10, 2013 (9:02 pm)

Jim P == Thanks for the answer. It makes sense.

singularname July 11, 2013 (12:32 am)

A bit bizarre … the report it, then back-peddle on it. Very Radar Online. Yes, the IRS will come to your place–they came to my house once, and about 2 months later I was $3000 richer.

miws July 11, 2013 (7:21 am)

singularname, did someone show up on your porch at that later time, holding a huge, $3,000.00 check, and have a camera person with them like on Publisher’s Clearing house?
;-)

Mike

Heather July 11, 2013 (8:04 am)

Is it just me or does anyone else now want an IRS-CI flack jacket?
…stiletto heels, rolled up pant legs, mirrored glasses, a clove cigarette dangling from my lips…I feel like such a rebel just thinking about it ;)

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