Mayor in New York City sends undercover officers to reservation

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg sent undercover agents to videotape tobacco transactions on a state-recognized reservation that is outside of city limits.

The agents visited two smoke shops on the Poospatuck Reservation. Video shows they purchased 60 cartons of untaxed cigarettes with the intent of re-selling them in New York City.

The reservation is home to the Unkechaug Indian Nation. "The mayor is retaliating instead of apologizing for his indefensible statements," the state-recognized tribe said in statement, referring to comments Bloomberg made last month in which he suggested the governor use a "shotgun" to show tribes the law on tobacco taxes.

Get the Story:
Smoke Shop Sting (The Wall Street Journal 9/17)
Untaxed Cigarettes Are Sold on Reservation, Mayor Says (The New York Times 9/17)
Bloomy burns cheats (The New York Post 9/17)
NYC tapes illegal cig sales on reservation (AP 9/16)