Jti Macdonald Corp

The Canadian unit of Japan Tobacco Inc. filed for court protection from creditors after the Quebec government demanded $1.05 billion in taxes it alleges is owed on smuggled cigarettes. JTI-Macdonald Corp., Canada's third-largest cigarette maker, said it needed court protection to avoid bankruptcy because Revenue Quebec had moved to seize up to 40% of its national revenue.

The Canadian unit of Japan Tobacco Inc. filed for court protection from creditors after the Quebec government demanded $1.05 billion in taxes it alleges is owed on smuggled cigarettes. JTI-Macdonald Corp., Canada's third-largest cigarette maker, said it needed court protection to avoid bankruptcy because Revenue Quebec had moved to seize up to 40% of its national revenue.

Canada filed a civil lawsuit against several tobacco companies to collect "substantial" revenue Ottawa says it lost because of cigarette smuggling in the 1990s. The civil suit names R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. and Japan Tobacco Inc., along with affiliates including JTI-Macdonald. Canadian authorities alleged in February that JTI-Macdonald and three U.S. concerns evaded $870 million in taxes by smuggling Canadian tobacco products from the United States back into Canada from 1991 to 1996.

Canada filed a civil lawsuit against several tobacco companies to collect "substantial" revenue Ottawa says it lost because of cigarette smuggling in the 1990s. The civil suit names R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. and Japan Tobacco Inc., along with affiliates including JTI-Macdonald. Canadian authorities alleged in February that JTI-Macdonald and three U.S. concerns evaded $870 million in taxes by smuggling Canadian tobacco products from the United States back into Canada from 1991 to 1996.

The Canadian government filed criminal charges Friday against affiliates of tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, accusing them of helping to flood that country with cheap contraband cigarettes during the 1990s. Also charged with fraud and conspiracy were eight current or former senior executives who allegedly took part in a scheme that authorities said robbed the federal government and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec of more than $800 million in cigarette taxes.