MySpace bragging brings $320,000 tax bill to former, current UCO students

By Randy Ellis
Published: September 21, 2008

A youthful attempt to party their way to popularity and some exaggerated MySpace boasting have turned into a $320,000 tax nightmare for five current and former University of Central Oklahoma students.

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“This is crazy,” said Julius Baroi, co-founder of Kegheadz, a loosely organized Edmond-based party business. “The Tax Commission claims we owe more than $300,000. We don't have enough money between us to pay $6,000 to hire an attorney. They won't listen to us.”

Paula Ross, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Tax Commission, said she couldn't comment on an individual taxpayer's case.

Although the Tax Commission wants to tax Kegheadz like a million-dollar business, Kegheadz was really just a group of college guys who got together to throw parties, said Baroi, 29, and co-founder Jordan Glover, 23.

Overall, Baroi estimates Kegheadz only netted about $1,700.

Tax officials got the wrong idea because of embellishments on the Kegheadz MySpace Web site that boasted things like “Over a billion served,” “Biggest party in the state,” and “Biggest party in the country,” Glover said.

But that was just “exaggerated hype” designed to create a buzz and attract people to the parties, Glover said.

The group threw 22 parties in Edmond and Oklahoma City in 2006 and the first half of 2007, Baroi said.

The goal was to meet college women and hopefully make enough money to pay their personal bar tabs, Glover said.

“It wasn't a career choice,” he said. “The goal was to have fun in college. Being a cool guy was the main objective.... You'd think they could tell we weren't masterminds. We were just college students having fun and acting stupid.”

Baroi said his group operated Kegheadz by going to Edmond and Oklahoma City restaurants and businesses and persuading them to host college parties. Off- duty law enforcement officers were hired to provide security and prevent problems, he said.

Men were charged a $5 cover charge. Women were let in free.

“If a guy brought three or four girls, we'd let him in free, too,” Glover said.

Kegheadz paid building owners $100 to $800 from the cover charge and a disc jockey was paid $50 to $200. The building owner got to keep money received from bar sales. If there was money left over from the cover charge at the end of the night, it was split among the Kegheadz friends who had promoted the event, Baroi said.

He said from 60 to 275 people showed up for the 22 parties Kegheadz promoted. Baroi said he made a few hundred dollars on some events and lost money on others.

He said they never really thought about Kegheadz as a business, so they never filed any paperwork with tax officials.

“We're not denying that we threw parties and probably owe the Tax Commission something,” Baroi said.

But $320,000?

“That's ridiculous,” Glover said.

How did the Tax Commission arrive at such a high figure?

Baroi and Glover said when they met with tax officials, they were shown a huge stack of evidence that appeared to be page after page printed off the Kegheadz' MySpace Web site.

In the absence of business records, Tax Commission auditors apparently built their tax case around the statements made on the MySpace site, one of several Internet social networking sites the students used to promote their parties, Baroi said.

The former students said they were just having fun. Embellishing on social networking sites by college students is pretty much the norm, they said.

“People thought we were a lot bigger status than we were and we enjoyed people thinking that,” Glover said.

They just don't enjoy tax officials thinking that.

Documents given to the students by tax officials indicate auditors concluded Kegheadz hosted 108 events over a 4.5-year period and that their average paid attendance was 675.

Auditors estimated they had $919,506 in mixed beverage sales, from which they would owe $162,832 in mixed beverage tax, penalties and interest.

The Tax Commission also is trying to assess them $155,294 for sales tax, penalties and interest and $1,856 for tourism tax, penalties and interest.

Baroi said none of that makes any sense.

Kegheadz never received any money from mixed beverage sales, he said. That revenue went to venue operators.

The group only held 22 parties and never had close to 675 people attend any of them, Baroi said. That's counting women, who got in free, he said.

Baroi said Kegheadz stopped hosting parties after some of their later ones lost money.

An April 2007 party planned for the Oklahoma City Farmers Market turned into a disaster when the disc jockey couldn't get the sound system to work, and a November 2006 party at Midsouth Pro Wrestling went south when it was raided by the state Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission and Oklahoma City police, Baroi said.

Businessman Mike Crawford, 38, said all he did was sublease the Midsouth Pro Wrestling building to Kegheadz three times and now the Tax Commission is claiming he was part of Kegheadz and should share in the disputed $320,000 tax liability.

Baroi said Kegheadz was originally scheduled to argue its tax case Sept. 24, but has been given a delay until the last week in October.

“I think common sense will prevail,” Glover said. “But if there's any attorney out there who remembers what it was like in college and wants to give us some free help, we could sure use it.”

Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, said she didn't specifically remember Kegheadz, but college parties like the ones they hosted used to be a problem in Edmond because they often involved underage drinking. The parties dried up after Edmond adopted a social host ordinance and began arresting adults at parties where underage drinking was found, she said.


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this is awesome. Now the "kids" are probably regretting all of their stupid moves. That happens in a "reality television" world doesn't it? All of the stupid pics on Myspace, this is awesome
ScottsWifeBlowsMe, DeepThroats - Sep 26, 2008 11:42 AM
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Jess & V. Do you know for a fact that the OTC was just "surfing" MySpace? It sounds like you two have all the facts and answers to this whole fraudulent mess. Maybe the two of you should be appointed to the OTC. I'm sure the two you would do the State of Oklahoma proud. As for all of you who say they are embarrased to be an okie and/or to live in this state because of this one little incident that is getting blown totally out of proportion. Move. The State of Oklahoma would be better off without you. Proud to be an American and live in the State of Oklahoma. And by the way V, I'm not an idiot.
L, M - Sep 25, 2008 1:50 PM
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I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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Hey at least we have the Sonics (thunder)!!!!!!
I am at, Mama's House - Sep 24, 2008 6:42 PM
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David - Altus - living where you do, you should know that military personnel who are stationed in another state are legally able to keep their home state tags. Now the "1000" tags you refer to probably aren't all military, but being in Altus, I bet many of them are.
S, Oklahoma City - Sep 24, 2008 2:15 PM
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Yeah Brandon I saw that on channel 4 last night. Sounds like the local media is supporting kegheads nicely. They should have a live broadcast from their courtroom on nov. 4th. It would be AWESOME.
Jay, Edmond - Sep 24, 2008 1:20 PM
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Yeah Brandon I saw that on channel 4 last night. Sounds like the local media is supporting kegheads nicely. They should have a live broadcast from their courtroom on nov. 4th. It would be AWESOME.
Jay, Edmond - Sep 24, 2008 1:20 PM
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Brandon, edmond - Sep 24, 2008 1:02 PM
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I think any decent attorney can win 90% of this case against the tax commission. Like that tax attorney on Channel 4 was saying last night...kegheadz needs to bring out the venue owners and other witnesses to their court hearing. Owners, bartenders, bouncers, cops whoever worked at those parties.
Brandon, edmond - Sep 24, 2008 1:02 PM
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OTC says 5 years, 108 parties, 675 people average & sold alcohol. Kegheadz says 18 months, 22 parties, 250 average and never sold alcohol. Quite a difference in numbers there!!! Also, there's that person Mike Crawford in it that says he was never a part of Kegheadz! I really wanna see what happens at the end.
Josh, Oklahoma City - Sep 24, 2008 11:59 AM
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Hardly a day goes by where I don't get an e-mail telling me I've won a bazillion dollars from some African lottery, an heir ,or a U.S Captain in the armed forces. I bet I'm not the only big winner. I also bet members of the Tax Commission are also big winners. Time for them to pay up.
Floyd, Oklahoma City - Sep 24, 2008 11:38 AM
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All I can say is that this isn't the first time that OTC has ruined someone's life.
Bryan, Oklahoma City - Sep 24, 2008 10:09 AM
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first, Jess... it's not "assuming" when you know for a fact what went down. these are the same guys that are mid to late 20's still trying to pick up H.S. girls. that is just sad. i do know these people personally and i know how and what they are about, so it's not "jealousy"... it's more of a frustration from a christian standpoint. no they aren't the only reason and only place that people can drink... so it's not on them totally, but other places provide a better way to keep underage drinking from happening...these guys just don't care. you say "enjoy yourself", so does that mean getting drunk, sleeping with strangers, then driving home? that is not my sort of thing seeing as i'm a christian. i've been married for a while now and my perspective on life has changed the older i get. i don't think they should be on the hook for that large sum of money, but they should be held accountable for their actions.
Nathan, Edmond - Sep 24, 2008 9:53 AM
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Nathan, you have no way to assume anything about these guys or their parties. You weren't at them and obviously from the jealous tone, you were probably at home... alone. You can't put the blame of every drunk driver or college party on these guys. They are small fish! Making an "example" of these guys isn't going to solve underage drinking, sex or drinking and driving. So stop whining like a sissy, get out and enjoy yourself for once.
Jess, Warr Acres - Sep 24, 2008 12:43 AM
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D, Choctaw: whoever taught you your "common sense" did you a disservice. They handed you a bag crap, and I'd demand a refund.
Nathan, Edmond: your tiresome prattle is the typical fare on display from the greasy pulpits of Southern Baptist wowsers everywhere. Grow up.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 23, 2008 8:32 PM
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Nathan: I detect a little bit of jealousy in your post. Maybe you should get out and mingle a little and you may find a lady friend. Don't be jealous because these guys are getting the women. Now get out there and find you a girl. I know if you try will will find one.
v - Sep 23, 2008 8:08 PM
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megan in newalla: i'm glad the local H.S. got out in time for you to post your "insight" to all of this. i'm glad your "sweetheart" of a friend enabled underage drinking and young people the opportunity to drive drunk for a fee. i'm glad he did it "legally" and didn't stoop to paying women for sex... wait, that's right! hopefully they were all of "age" or you have a whole other crime on your hands. like i said, these guys are schmucks who prey on "drunk chicks" to even stand a chance...sad.
Nathan, Edmond - Sep 23, 2008 7:50 PM
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Jason, Edmond. I do not work for the Tax Commission or any other state office. And I don't have any personal acquaintances who work for the Tax Commission. I just used a little common sense that's all.
D, Choctaw - Sep 23, 2008 7:38 PM
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o and ps this was not a business! This was college guys having fun!
megan, newalla - Sep 23, 2008 7:18 PM
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I know one of these boys! and he is a sweetheart! I went to elementry school and yall are trying to make them out to be bad people and i dont know the others but i have been to the partys! They were fun! But mostly just people that were getting together i know that they didnt make money! they did it to have fun! and whats the difference in what they did and if i know a friend that has a business and i have done this before and i just wrote on my myspace and facebook to come check it out on a certain date to help him get more business! Should i get fined bc i told a couple people to come hangout! and did a little advertising for him!???
megan, newalla - Sep 23, 2008 7:17 PM
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julius was always a little weasel in high school too. i can definately understand why guys like them have to "pay" for their women. based on the picture alone you can bet that we will see most of their faces on here again under the title, "former members of kegheadz arrested for solicitation of undercover police police officer". i'd say prosecute them and get as much as you can from them. i wonder how many accidents they contributed too by throwing these parties? how many underage girls they "hung out" with after getting them drunk? i really can't stand people like this.
Nathan, Edmond - Sep 23, 2008 5:06 PM
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Myspace has a field in which you can fill out your income, along with you age, weight, body type, etc. People NEVER lie about any of those things.
Kim, Oklahoma City - Sep 23, 2008 3:58 PM
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The goal was to meet college women and hopefully make enough money to pay their personal bar tabs, Glover said.....Uh huh? Sure that was the goal!

Scott, Indian Territory - Sep 23, 2008 3:38 PM
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MySpace????? Sounds as if the OTC has studied at the "Heap O'Calories" school of detective skills.
Roger, Keller - Sep 23, 2008 11:57 AM
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Why doesn't the tax commission go down to Wal-Mart or the Western-Unions and subpoena all the illegals sending their untaxed money back to their people in Mexico?
bob, Oklahoma City - Sep 23, 2008 9:29 AM
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Dear OTC "Auditors",
Nice corroboration of evidence.

Sincerely,
Peter Pan, Santa Claus, and "billions served"
kevin, Tulsa - Sep 23, 2008 9:28 AM
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David-Altus. Check the law. If you're a military member and your legal state of residence is another state, you're just based in Oklahoma for duty, you get to keep the car tags of your legal residence state. Since the biggest employer in Altus is the Air Force Base, you think thos etags might belong to residents of other states?
Dave, Edmond - Sep 23, 2008 9:16 AM
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"D., Choctaw" = some OTC flack trying to defend his pathetic colleagues silly actions in this case, I'd reckon. It is hard to take an apologist for the equivalent of modern day Gestapo-wannabes all that seriously.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 23, 2008 12:41 AM
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On that note, Fox news (the big one, not fox 25 okc) actually mentioned it breifly earlier this morning. AP picked up on this and so did bunch of other newspapers. CRAZY!
Brandon, edmond - Sep 22, 2008 10:28 PM
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Jay, Edmond - Sep 22, 2008 10:20 PM
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Also, Channel 5's take on this...

http://www.koco.com/video/17522175/index.html
Jay, Edmond - Sep 22, 2008 10:20 PM
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96.9 BOB FM's morning show spent about 2 hours discussing this today. I think one of the guys from that show is going to try to help the Kegheads get an attorney. Who knows how many other people got screwed over by the OTC! Its about time the media exposes the OTC nonsense.
Jay, Edmond - Sep 22, 2008 10:17 PM
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http://prowlingowl.com/index.cfm
v - Sep 22, 2008 9:04 PM
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David, I am sure that if you will provide specific information to the Tax Commission - Motor License Division - they will be happy to check it out. I don't believe they have the manpower to check every vehicle being driven on Oklahoma roads to be certain the owner of that vehicle is a resident of the state where it is licensed. Think about it. In the case at hand one person admits to having made in excess of $10,000 and never paying taxes on it. When you are using any venue for a party or any other purpose it is your respoinsibility to verify the business is legitimate, properly licensed and all licenses are in good standing. You also get your contracts in writing. These verbal agreements are worth the paper they are written on -- exactly nothing. In the end Kegheadz is left holding the bag. Much like anyone who unwittingly takes a counterfit bill as change. The last person to hold that bill is the loser. These guys have proved they are losers.
D, Choctaw - Sep 22, 2008 8:15 PM
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So, why isn't the Oklahoma Tax Commission also going after the owners of the untold 1,000's of vehicles on our streets with out-of-state car tags????--- The ones where the owners have lived in Oklahoma for over a year, yet keep out-of-state tags on their vehicles because they are cheaper than Oklahoma's tags!
David, Altus - Sep 22, 2008 8:07 PM
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D, Choctaw - Sep 22, 2008 7:50 PM
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Have to agree with ??? - someone else has reported these guys and the Tax Commission is charged with investigating the complaint. I seriously doubt that MySpace was the only investigational tool used. But you have to admit it did make a good "news story." The Oklahoman probably has a lot more info about the case but MySpace makes a really good story. Bottom line if you run any kind of business keep good records and PAY YOUR TAXES! Otherwise, you end up looking like a moron on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman. Didn't any of you Kegheadz take a business course?
D, Choctaw - Sep 22, 2008 7:50 PM
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It isn't the Tax Commission that is dragging Kegheadz into this whole thing. The person responsible for it is the guy that rented the building out.("oh i just rented the place to Kegheadz") They all should have kept records of what was sold, and what was taken in cover charges! This isn't the Tax Commission's fault the building owner and Kegheadz should have covered their hind ends and kept a tab of everything and then they would have something to show the Tax Commission to be able to fight the assessment!
???, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 6:19 PM
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Here is a website that will tell you how great the OTC is http://prowlingowl.com/index.cfm
v - Sep 22, 2008 6:08 PM
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If the Tax commission has actually stooped so low, they have violated your constitutional rights and they need to be sued. Cracker jack state.
bob, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 5:03 PM
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This is absolutely the most ridiculous story I have ever heard. Is this the way Oklahoma decided to get some lost tax money made up??
Jimmy, Sandy Shores - Sep 22, 2008 4:54 PM
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Whos the say that myspace is accurate, people lie on that all the time to make them sound good,but truth be told all college parties you have to pay to get in to and I dont think that the tax commission is right for what they are trying to do...it Craziness. Always something going on in Okc..and for you people saying bad things about Uco it has nothing to do with the school it has something to do with the people that wants to learn and the people that just want to party...
LaToyia, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 4:06 PM
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tu- you are the scum of this planet...Grats.
Jim, Stillwater - Sep 22, 2008 3:01 PM
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what's wrong jason, did the walnut explode?
tu, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 2:50 PM
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Re: 1:16 PM comment and 2:18 PM reply - Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2008 2:35 PM
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I ran a competitor to kegheadz and i made $800,000,000 last year. shhh.
Casey, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 2:25 PM
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This reminds me of the movie "True Lies", where Arnold and Tom have the guy who was posing as a spy on the side of the damn. He liked to act big until he was called on it and then he cried and pissed in his pants. These guys were acting like big shots and putting up a false front and now that they have been called on it they are peeing in their pants. I love it when morons like this are exposed.
JJ, Okc - Sep 22, 2008 2:09 PM
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The tax commission is looking real stupid according to this story...trying to double tax alcoholic beverage sales, after the fact it was stated that the places/restuarunts that Kegheadz leased out got to keep all alcohol proceeds anyways.
Joliet Jake, Chicago - Sep 22, 2008 2:08 PM
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tu = todd from Norman, nocona from santa fe, and about a dozen other silly pseudonyms. He/she/it has the mentality of a twelve year old boy with his first nudie magazine, an IQ stuck in the single digits, and a bizarre obsession with homosexuality in general and homoerotic acts in particular. A pitiful specimen of a human being.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2008 1:16 PM
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We had to pay $7 to have a garage sale and then we have to report an income on that. What's that all about? Paying taxes on used items and there was no booze involved!
Suzan, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 12:47 PM
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Guess the UCO boys should of took a class on accounting and record keeping. I guess you get what you pay for.
The tax commission will give you good course on record keeping, sometime it is a little pricey. bottoms up boys.
Truman, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 12:30 PM
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I had to laugh at the guy that said "don't kid yourselves, they made some serious money.." hahahahha, you are hilarious man, when and where is your next show?
Jim, Stillwater - Sep 22, 2008 12:27 PM
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Wow...how pathetic.
Jim, Stillwater - Sep 22, 2008 12:23 PM
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I'm embarrased to be an Okie based on this story...you've got to be kidding me!
Chris, Jones - Sep 22, 2008 12:18 PM
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people who are sitting here judging their appearance and whatnot...who cares! when in the world did myspace become a legitimate source of ANYTHING!?! and those who are just talking trash on these kids are the same people that have no fun in their life. i had an absolute blast in college and a cover charge is a common occurance at parties....and i can promise you none of it went to the tax commission. oklahoma is a complete embarrassment!
Tyler, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 11:08 AM
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The OTC needs to stick to the business that they are hired for. Making a mockery out of their office isn't what Oklahomans hired them for. Making up a tax debt against a few college kids isn't part of their position. If the OTC can commit fraud then why can't everyone else in our society. Fraudulent billing is a crime and punishable by the courts. I am glad myname isn't on the document that was sent to these kids. I sent this out to CNN,Fox,MSN,ABC,CBS,and NBC. Maybe they will bite on it.
v - Sep 22, 2008 10:42 AM
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i'm setting my myspace page to private, i'd hate for the Oklahoma Tax Commission to see my salary claims and use that as "proof" to get more money out of me.
Renee, edmond - Sep 22, 2008 10:37 AM
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I'm outraged here at the amount of my tax dollars being spent to investigate something so ludicrous!!!
Tom, Tulsa - Sep 22, 2008 10:36 AM
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After reading this story I remembered My College aged kid telling about these parties. It was all the thing to go to back when the organizers put it together. Dont kid yourself out there. These guys made some serious money over the years. All to pick up girls? I think its great the OTC is giving these young men lesson that they didnt learn in the classrooms at UCO.
Jim, Choctaw - Sep 22, 2008 10:06 AM
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So...what IMPORTANT issues are being kept in the shadows while the OTC throws a spotlight on these morons?
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 9:46 AM
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cindy: I pray that we can find leaders in this day and time. I am afraid to say that there may be none. All of the so called leaders we have now are only leading because they get a paycheck. They are not leading for the good of the state or the country. The OTC must be full of Republicans to think they can harrass young kids like this and get away with it. VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT THIS TIME AROUND FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY.
v - Sep 22, 2008 9:33 AM
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ME, please, if these guys are going to be the example that's pretty sad. There are plenty of bigger fish out there. Yes I'm sure you play by the rules and good for you, but reality is, most don't or try to get around the system. I'm not saying it's right, but the OTC needs to pick it's battles and prioritize them. As I said before, if this is the best they can come up with maybe there needs to be some layoffs at the OTC. Because there isn't enough for them to do but dig up "evidence" on myspace.
Jess, Warr Acres - Sep 22, 2008 9:08 AM
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No it is the Keghead idiots who have to prove they didnt make money with proper record keeping. Anytime you make any money, your supposed to report it. We all know the rules so play by them. I do. Why should I be following the rules when I make a couple bucks and others dont. You let these guys get away, then who else can get away with it? I say make an example out of them.
ME, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 8:23 AM
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Whomever did this investigation for the tax commission should be fired.The tax commission would have to prove that these guys made money in the first place and then prove how much profit they made. This is the one of the most idiotic post I have evr seen in my life. If this is Oklahoma's tax dollars at work then we need to revamp the whole system. The employee that is going on a state computer to visit My Space is needs to be docked for all of the time he spent on our computer. There needs to be an investigation into our tax commission over this just as there is an on going investigation on DHS. It is a waste of tax payers dollars to even think they can go after these kids for a tax bill when they can't prove that they made any money in the first place. What kind of people does the state of Oklahoma hire to represent our state. If they intentionally hire idiots our citizens need to revamp the whole system.
v, - Sep 21, 2008 8:30 AM (GOOD GRIEF IT NOT JUST POLITIAIANS WHO ARE STEALING AND WASTING OUR EARNED MONEY IT IS EVERYONE who is in position (well paid
positions NEED I ADD)Pray for our leaders.. ALL LEADERS.
cindy, okc - Sep 22, 2008 8:21 AM
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Yet another reason why we should support the Republicans' efforts in the State Legislature to move towards eliminating the State Income Tax altogether.
A, oklahoma city - Sep 22, 2008 8:16 AM
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Someone needs to tell the OTC that there is some guy in Nigeria that is splitting millions with everyone that has an e-mail address. It's just tied up in his offshore account and he needs your help...
Jake, White Bear Lake - Sep 22, 2008 8:16 AM
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Employers and the police check out myspace all the time, so why not the tax commission? This is what happens when you lie. They don't owe as much as the OTC says, but they probably owe something because they were operating a business. Stupid is as stupid does. I would never put my exploits on myspace.
Jeralie, Oklahoma City - Sep 22, 2008 1:11 AM
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One side of the story or not, I seriously doubt the boys success. OTC employees need to be stuffed and mounted for wasting the taxpayers' time to chase down blowhard college kids just having a good time and puffing their credentials to get girls.
edwin, prague - Sep 22, 2008 12:03 AM
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More proof, as if any was need, that the bureaucrats who staff Oklahoma state government agencies are largely made up of the intellectual bottom of the barrel, the mental dregs of available manpower.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 21, 2008 11:13 PM
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hahahahahaha! punks got punked.
David, Sallisaw - Sep 21, 2008 10:41 PM
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all this is rediculous and yet Mister or Miss's from bogata is still a douche bag
chris, estherville - Sep 21, 2008 9:21 PM
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Jay, Edmond - Sep 21, 2008 9:01 PM
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I think the tax commissioners are appointed by the Governor. What kind of idiots is he putting in charge of that agency! We need an investigation done on how they audited and built this case. This sounds too outrageous to be true.
Jay, Edmond - Sep 21, 2008 9:01 PM
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Seriously, you parents out there, look at your children's myspace pages, at the part of the profile where the user states their income. The highest amount is $250,000 - that's what my kids put when they were myspacers. That's what most of their friends put. It's a joke to them. I wonder how long it's going to be until these kids start getting letters from OTC.
whyno, no - Sep 21, 2008 8:21 PM
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Well, since the government is going to bail out the markets to the tune of some odd billion or so dollars, we all now know how they plan on getting that money. Same way RIAA does. By going after college kids that obviously make billions a year drinking beer in their spare time. ;)
Doug, Midwest City - Sep 21, 2008 8:13 PM
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Sounds like both sides are telling the story, but this is crazy! I think the State of Oklahoma needs to re-evalute this whole thing.
Tim, Overland Park - Sep 21, 2008 7:06 PM
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One thing to remember...we're only hearing ONE side to this story...
Steve, OKC metro - Sep 21, 2008 7:02 PM
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This is crazy..poor kids. One thing is bothering me.. looking at the Bar Bill...it shows only approx 80 drinks served but the tax commission is stating that 675 kids showed up. If I'm not mistaken, 675 college kids would drink a lot more than 80 drinks! What am I missing?
K, Edmond - Sep 21, 2008 6:34 PM
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Do the OTC employees surf myspace while they are putting in a day of government work? I wonder if they claim this is government business so they surf myspace to spy on any business not being reported. These are college kids--they don't have to grow up yet. Give them a break. They are still young and growing up kids. They have enough to face when they get out of school--a depressed economy, failing job market and war.
Cleo, Mustang - Sep 21, 2008 6:05 PM
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It is called socialism.
v - Sep 21, 2008 5:44 PM
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I dunno which is worse, the OTC's actions on this, or the idiots that think that what OTC's doing is a good thing or think it's funny.
Larry, Beverly Hills - Sep 21, 2008 5:31 PM
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Social host ordinance? What kind of place is this state turning in to.
ALBERT, BETHANY - Sep 21, 2008 5:16 PM
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This is probably not the time to brag about my multi-million dollar Swiss bank account, is it?
Tim, Yukon - Sep 21, 2008 4:25 PM
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d, moore "In the absence of business records, Tax Commission auditors apparently built their tax case around the statements made on the MySpace site" If that was the case why would they print this in the article. It also states that the bar owners keep the money from drinks bought from the bar. All these kids did was split the money left over from the cover charge. OTC will never get this to stick and should be taken to court for even trying it. Fraud is fraud.
v - Sep 21, 2008 4:15 PM
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What makes you people think this audit is the result of web surfing? Sounds more like the ABLE raid may have resulted in the audit. My guess is some of these host businesses got caught in an ABLE audit and are pointing fingers. It's sad to have to read about so called adults using a defense of they just wanted to meet girls and have fun. Time to grow up. Time to defend yourself like an adult. You must have a written agreement with the party host somewhere.
d, moore - Sep 21, 2008 3:45 PM
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L, M Tax evasion are you an idiot. The OTC made up an estimated bill on non-factual information about a ficticious business and now someonelike you calls it tax evasion. There is always one in every bunch. All this is is a group of government employees try to strut their powers and harrassing a bunch of kids that have no money anyway. The whole document that the totals are written on is a fraud. Where did they get the numbers? Did they have an employee at the party counting the transactions? It is all a fraud and everyone involved in this harrassment should be charged with fraudlent billing so they have to retain a lawyer and go to court to answer the charges. The head of this department should be fired without benefits. The OTC will make the State of Oklahoma looked like the idiots they are when this gets on national television. Everyone in the country thinks Okies are backwoods idiots and inbreds anyway and when this gets out they will know they were correct. This needs to be nipped in the bud very quickly. What a bunch of fraudlent idiots this OTC.
v - Sep 21, 2008 3:29 PM
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This is great! The truth sucks. Maybe the people who partied with these losers should sue over false advertising. No one can hide from the truth just ask Sarah Palin. ha ha ha another business scam from an Oklahoma business.
GS, Norman - Sep 21, 2008 3:13 PM
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L, M... OTC did their job investigating?!? I didn't realize surfing myspace was investigating or "gathering evidence". This isn't credible and these kids obviously don't have the money. So we are going to waste thousands of dollars chasing these kids around and end up getting little to nothing. You can't tell me there aren't bigger fish out there to fry. If there isn't, and surfing myspace is their source of information, maybe we need to start layoffs at the OTC, since their isn't enough to do. Or I'm sure we can go after the 14 year old kid down the road that is mowing his neighbors lawns!! Or the $50 I paid a friend's kid to help me move some stuff. The state government agencies in this state for the most part are a joke.
Jess, Warr Acres - Sep 21, 2008 2:54 PM
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Hyacynth Bucket (Bouquet) would be proud. If only she could create a Myspace page showing her award winning Royal Doulton with hand painted periwinkles. How about her recently created special event service which was confused for an escort service. I'm sure she would love to say "thousands served." But she could say that for her candlelight suppers but it would be a violation of the Trades Description Act. It would be more like "thousands poisoned." Best of all did these guys walk into Bob Moore Land Rover to test out a few $81,000 models? Hyacinth test drove a $200,000 Rolls just to show up a lady who bought a Mercedes. Of course when the Bobbies arrested her at the country inn the lady pulled up and said, "hello Mrs. Bucket." Hyacinth turns around and says, its Bouquet!
Sparky (Mark), Oklahoma City - Sep 21, 2008 2:50 PM
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It is amazing how many readers are putting down the OTC. If it had turned out that these college guys had made a bunch of money it would be different story. Face it. These guys did something stupid and juvenile (here's your sign!, hopefully they have learned an important lesson). The OTC did their job, investigated possible tax evasion. Something will be worked out eventually. The sad part is how worked up everyone is getting.
L, M - Sep 21, 2008 2:43 PM
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Once again, our government officials embarrass us. I'd say more, but it's already been said quite well before I posted.
Larry, Beverly Hills - Sep 21, 2008 2:22 PM
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I will add this: I think I'll put up a MySpace page that says I had no income last year. That way, the OTC won't be able to justify stealing any money from me with my 2008 return.
Larry, Beverly Hills - Sep 21, 2008 2:21 PM
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Once again, our government officials embarrass us. I'd say more, but it's already been said quite well before I posted.
Larry, Beverly Hills - Sep 21, 2008 2:18 PM
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These guys might be idiots or they might just be geniuses! Someone posted that this has made the "national news." I haven't seen it but given their interest in the absurd, I certainly don't doubt it. I can just about assure you that while the OTC will come off looking like imbeciles, these guys stock just went up. If they don't parlay this into talk-show appearances, THEN these guys can be called "idiots." Damned little is bad national attention.
Cale, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2008 2:14 PM
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These party guys may be idiots, but I question the accounting acumen of any auditor who would seriously rely upon Myspace puffery. On the other hand these guys should announce their debt is hurting the economy and ask for a government bail out.
Michael, Norman - Sep 21, 2008 1:43 PM
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this is a common process that tax investigators use, (I know I was married to irs employ for 9 years) and when they find someone flying "under the radar" they go for the biggest $$$ they can to force the "children" in this case to cough up the real data and pay like they should have + penalty and interest rate that only boon Pickens could dream of making in the real world. Common sense will prevail but they do either owe or have a loss, but will end up paying with there collage tuition!
g, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2008 1:32 PM
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The Governor of Oklahoma needs to investigate the OTC for fraud. This makes me wonder how many times the OTC has tried to collect taxes that weren't owed and how many tax payers payed in money that wasn't owed. There needs to be an internal audit on the OTC to make sure there are no fraudlent practices going on. I am going to write the governor on this one.
v - Sep 21, 2008 1:11 PM
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I'm not sure who the biggest fools are, the college guys or the OTC. Any idiot could tell they didn't make that kind of money.
michael, mustang - Sep 21, 2008 1:06 PM
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Hey, OTC - Why don't you folks go after all the high school and college students - and yes, even dropouts, who choose the maximum amount of income on their profile (>250,000). If you're looking for ways to justify wasting taxpayer money by playing around on the internet...
whyno, no - Sep 21, 2008 12:37 PM
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guys first of all you should have kept your mouths shut on my space, because the governement is out to get every penny of anyones money they can.
Kenya, Durant - Sep 21, 2008 12:18 PM
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A perfect beaurocratic boondoggle.
William, Bigfork - Sep 21, 2008 12:11 PM
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If you are stupid then college is going to be a bust. If you act stupid you are really going to get an education.
william, Enid - Sep 21, 2008 12:09 PM
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This is just HILARIOUS, given that this paper also reported on five legislators who didn't file their taxes for years. Hmm, I wonder why there was no reference to that, earlier article?
Research, Del Mar - Sep 21, 2008 12:08 PM
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Okay these kids are dressed up for a Halloween party…or else I would have said they look like morons. BUT, I WONDER HOW MUCH CRACK THE AUDITOR WAS SMOKIN WHEN HE/SHE DECIDED ON THESE NUMBERS FROM MYSPACE!! Seriously is this for real? $320,000 from MYSPACE!!!!!
Jay, Edmond - Sep 21, 2008 12:03 PM
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It will be your Good Old Boy taxes that pays off the lawsuit against OTC goofy.
v - Sep 21, 2008 11:56 AM
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