Chapter 311 Utah Media is starting to exert its power
No. 21117 Third Avenue, Seattle, Washington, where is the global headquarters of Amazon.
At this time, on the top floor of the headquarters, in a hall full of green plants, a bald man was leisurely drinking coffee and reading a magazine.
At this moment, a woman hurriedly came to him and said, "Something happened, Mr. Jeff."
Yes, the bald man was the mute man. Amazon founder, Jeff Bess.
Jeff was able to turn Amazon into a company with a market value of nearly 2 trillion. Naturally, he has seen all kinds of storms. After hearing this, he was not in a hurry. He reached out to pick up the coffee and asked: "What?" What happened?”
“Just now, people from the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service went to our branch in the city and took away all our executives.”
Coffee just thought. Jeff, who put it to his lips, suddenly shook uncontrollably when he heard this, causing the coffee inside to spill on the collar of his suit.
However, he didn't bother to wipe it off, his words became hurried, and he asked: "What is going on? Is there any tax problem at our branch?"
What makes him nervous, who is used to seeing big winds and waves, is none other than the fact that there is one person in the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service that even he has to be afraid of, and that is Director David!
"The taxation of the branch strictly follows the instructions from our headquarters, and there is no big problem. However, the reason why the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service investigated us this time is clearly an order personally issued by the local director David, so... …”
What this assistant actually wants to express is that of course there is no problem with our taxes on Amazon. Otherwise, if we have not paid taxes for so many years, we would have been caught by the IRS. !
However, David's methods are also well known. Even if there is no problem, this person can still solve the problem for you. And now that he has ordered the investigation of Dumb Mason, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no accidents.
At this moment, Jeff also looked confused.
Of course he is also very aware of David's methods, otherwise he would not have heard that the branch was investigated by the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service, and thus lost his composure.
no.
Jeff realized that he could not sit still and said immediately: "Convene a board meeting!"
Soon, a group of Amazon executives who received the notice walked into the In a conference room on the 36th floor, everyone's expressions looked a little calm. They had obviously received the news that the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service was taking action against them.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Jeff immediately spoke up: "I believe everyone has received the news that David has ordered an investigation into us. What do you think of this matter? Tell us your opinions!"< br>
“We have not paid any taxes in recent years, and we have also received a lot of subsidies from the government. The senior officials of the IRS probably hate us very much, so this time I conclude that it is not the case. David is targeting us, but their senior officials are directly targeting us.”
"That's right. Before this, because of our proper handling of tax policies, the handling of the matter by the Legal Department, and the relationship between the shareholders behind us, the IRS has been reluctant to take action against us. But now the IRS has David is such a ruthless person, and this guy has even touched the Sackler family, the Disney family, and the Swiss Bank. Now it is reasonable to touch us..."
"No matter what Said, this person is a bit difficult to deal with, and now it is clear that he wants to target me, so we must respond..."
"..."
Listen The senior executives talked for a long time but couldn't get to the point. Jeff was a little impatient and interrupted directly: "Okay, David's methods are indeed extraordinary. We can't just wait for him to eat away at me step by step. , we must come up with countermeasures."
"Mr. Jeff, since David only ordered to take away people from our Los Angeles branch, not other branches or our headquarters. That proves that he doesn’t know much. I think we should send the legal department to Los Angeles to find out what the situation is like there, and it’s not too late to make a decision.”
The speaker was Magrica, the senior vice president of Dumb Amazon.
"Magrica is right, we don't have to do anything in a hurry now, let's first find out what the Los Angeles IRS is like with them."
"I agree too. , according to David's character, if he had caught us, he would have publicly named us long ago. And according to the report over there, when their people went to our branch, they just said "please come back to cooperate with the investigation" Such words also reflect that they don't have much information."
"..."
After Magrica said this, most of the people present were dumb. Senior management expressed their approval.
Because judging from David's previous character, if he had grasped the handle of Amazon, he would have named him directly in front of the media just like he did to Hollywood and those cryptocurrency companies.
And now since this guy didn't choose to name him directly, there is a high probability that he doesn't have much information in his hand.
Seeing that most of the people present suggested sending the legal department to find out, after thinking about it for a while, Jeff no longer objected. He turned to look at a man present and said: "La Kerua, You are the boss of the legal department, so you should go there in person this time."
"Okay, Mr. Jeff."
While the meeting was held at Dumason, The senior executives of Weiruan, Guge, Oracle and other major manufacturers are also discussing this matter intensely.
As for why I am nervous, it is very simple.
Because now David has the tendency to raise the butcher knife to the head of the mute Mason, so who can guarantee that it won't be their turn next time?
In order to avoid this situation from happening, major companies did not dare to neglect for a moment after the discussion, and immediately ordered the finance and tax departments to work overtime to review the company's taxes.
This night is destined to be an all-nighter for companies such as Amazon, Guge, Weiruan, and Oracle, but it is a feast for the media and the public.
The next morning, the investigation of Amazon by the Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service undoubtedly made the front pages of major newspapers.
[Washington Post: The IRS launched an investigation into Amazon.com. Will giant companies that have never paid taxes in recent years suffer losses? 】
[Los Angeles Times: Another big move by Director David, will the Internet field usher in a tax clearance operation? 】
[Wall Street Journal: Executioner David has taken action again, and this action against the mute Amazon is likely to shake the foundation of the United States...]
[…]
Among the reports from major newspapers, the Wall Street Journal's wording is the sharpest. It can even be said that it directly attacked David's investigation of Amazon by name.
Of course, since they dared to compile articles to attack, they naturally listed several reasons.
First of all, the Amazon Group has a total of 270,000 employees. Once the IRS really launches a tax audit against this group, it will definitely affect the interests of many of them, triggering protests from these people. , or strike, causing social unrest. Secondly, the current economic situation in the United States is very bad. Once David launches an investigation into Amazon, it will inevitably trigger an earthquake in the stock market, causing the market to lose confidence and making the already bad economy even worse.
After this front-page headline of the Wall Street Journal came out, it also caused an uproar on the Internet.
Many people think that the Wall Street Journal’s accusation is right. After all, the economic situation in the United States is already so bad now. The IRS and David are still going to torment such a hegemonic enterprise. This does not cause It’s no wonder the market is turbulent.
At that time, this may become the trigger of a new round of financial crisis. I don’t know how many people will go bankrupt and jump off the building. Can the IRS bear this responsibility?
But there are also many people who believe that Amazon, as a trillion-level enterprise, has not paid a dime in taxes in the past few years, but instead has received so many subsidies from the government. Among them, Is it reasonable?
It is definitely unreasonable.
After all, we ordinary people have to pay taxes honestly on the meager salary we receive every month. You, Dumb Mason, make so much money every year but don’t get a dime. Do you still have any sense of social responsibility? ?
Because there are people supporting both of these views, huge debates broke out on the Internet.
Los Angeles Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Commissioner.
At this time, David was sitting on a chair with his chin in his hands, staring at a Wall Street Journal newspaper on the table. Opposite him, stood Nissenbaki Simmons and a group of people from the bureau. Senior executives.
"Faker, this Wall Street Journal has gone too far, attacking us in such a vicious tone!"
"Several other major newspapers are considered normal, but this Wall Street Journal is a thorn in the side. I think we need to go to their headquarters to find some trouble and give them some trouble.”
“…”
Many people present expressed strong dissatisfaction with this Wall Street Journal article.
But there wasn’t much fluctuation on David’s face.
In recent years, Utahns have basically controlled the American media. As the number one mouthpiece of Utahns, the Wall Street Journal, after seeing that he initiated an investigation into Amazon, It is normal to compile this sharp accusation article.
"Has there been any progress in what you were asked to investigate last night?"
After bringing the senior managers of the Dumasun branch back yesterday, David used a plug-in to examine them one by one. .
Although Ma Xun's research on tax policy was indeed very good, under his powerful inspection function, he still found some points that could make a fuss, so he told Buckinson and the others to send people overnight to collect evidence and investigate.
"The workload is huge and it will take some time."
"The people on my side are also..."
"..."
Listening to the replies of several people, David did not blame them for their slow efficiency.
As the world’s largest e-commerce giant, Amazon’s group’s frameworks are spread all over the world. Investigating them will definitely not be completed in a day or two.
While he was still thinking, the cell phone on the table suddenly rang. David picked it up and saw that the caller ID was Donald, and he immediately picked up: "Deputy Director Donald."< br>
"How about David, have you made any progress over there?"
"The investigation has found some things, but it's not enough. It still needs some time."
"Okay, those Utahns have obviously put their efforts into the media. Now the IRS is facing a lot of pressure from public opinion. I need you to hold a press conference to win more people's support for us, so as to alleviate it. Current public opinion.”
"Okay, I know..."
After ending the call with Donald, David immediately looked up at Nissen and said: "Arrange a press conference in half an hour."
Soon after, when the major media received the news that the Los Angeles IRS was going to hold a press conference, they immediately went to the lobby on the first floor of the Los Angeles IRS to wait as quickly as possible.
“Director David is here!”
I don’t know who shouted this at the scene, and then all the media reporters stopped talking and looked up.
Sure enough, David came to the spotlight surrounded by a crowd, opened his arms and pressed down to signal for silence, and then said: "Good morning to all friends from the media and the audience in front of the TV. Yesterday we put the mute Amazon into the spotlight. The fact that the executives in the Los Angeles branch brought it back has attracted widespread attention. I will give you a detailed explanation of this matter below!"
After that, David pointed to a reporter from NBC TV.
The reporter also immediately asked: "Director David, many people are now talking about your Internal Revenue Service launching a tax investigation against Amazon. Is this true?"
Although many people have already seen it, it will only be confirmed if it is officially confirmed by the IRS.
“Yes, I can tell you clearly that our IRS is launching a tax investigation on Dumason Group!”
"Then I would like to ask Director David, since you are going to launch an investigation into the Dumason Group, have you got some practical evidence to prove that Dumason is indeed suspected of tax evasion?"
"This is still under investigation. During the investigation, it is not convenient to disclose the next question!”
After being called by David’s name, the CBS reporter immediately asked: “Director David, we are now launching an online campaign against you. There is a lot of opposition to the investigation. Many people believe that Amazon controls too many people's jobs, and as the third largest company in the Fortune 500, once it is affected, it is likely to trigger an economic crisis. What do you think about this? ? ”
“ Regarding this issue, I think our great American statesman Benjamin Franklin has already explained that here, only death and taxes are inevitable, and tax collection is also our Internal Revenue Service’s responsibility. If we don’t collect taxes for our job, where will the funds for the country’s medical care, education, construction, and military come from?”
“So I can tell you clearly again that our IRS will not be responsible for this. A company will give up tax collection if it affects the economy. Otherwise, I think there is no need for our IRS to exist! ”
After David's sonorous and powerful words, the audience burst into applause.
(End of this chapter)