COVINGTON, Ga. - OHCO, Inc., an international fabric and textile distributor in Covington, is closed for the time being after agents with the Internal Revenue Service seized the property Wednesday, Aug. 28.

IRS agents on scene were unable to answer any media questions as to why they were at the business.

“There’s a limited amount that the IRS can say by law,” Anthony Burke, of IRS Media Relations, told The Covington News.

According to its website, OHCO, Inc. is one of the largest exporters in the United States of fabric, textile stock lots and closeouts. It has been in business for nearly 50 years. 

"Our customer base primarily consists of South America, Central America, Mexico, The Mid-East, Africa, Europe and The Caribbean Islands," according to the OHCO website. "All products exported by OHCO, Inc. are sold in container load quantities (some LTL), however many customers choose to fill containers with an assortment of fabrics or textiles to best suit their needs. Depending on the product, we may sell by the yard or meter, by the pound or kilo and per metric ton."

In addition to the IRS looking into OHCO, according to the Newton County Tax Commissioner’s Office, OHCO Owner George W. Hart Jr. owes more than $500,000 in delinquent property taxes for the OHCO location.

Covington Police Department Capt. Ken Malcom said CPD was not asked to assist in any investigation conducted by the IRS or OHCO. 

After multiple attempts to contact, The Covington News has received no further comment from the IRS regarding the OHCO investigation.