CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has announced that, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Revenue, she has collected over $22 million in unpaid tax payments from gasoline station owners and operators.

The enforcement effort began in October 2009 when Madigan and the Department of Revenue created a voluntary disclosure compliance program, increased audit activity and intensified collection of unpaid taxes from gasoline station owners.

"We are aggressively investigating and pursuing businesses that try to evade paying their fair share of taxes," Madigan said.

"The significant amount of money recovered for the state demonstrates that our enforcement efforts are effectively encouraging businesses owing back taxes to come forward and make payments."

Madigan and DOR Director Brian Hamer increased their efforts in August, filing criminal charges against five owners and operators of gas stations. Those indictments have accounted for more than 40 percent of the yearly total, with an additional $9.3 million collected.

Three of the five defendants indicted will head to court later this month and in November. Warrants are also outstanding for defendants Muzaffar Jameel, who failed to appear for his arraignment, and Abdelmomen Abdallah, who was never arrested.

As in most states, gasoline sales are reported to the state on a monthly basis. Madigan's office and DOR alleged that numerous fraudulent practices of falsely reporting gasoline sales figures was happening around the state.