[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / mj0007]
(Have news tips for LLN?… 352Tips@gmail.com.)
CLERMONT, Florida – Acting on a warrant, police this week arrested Roman Gonzalez, 47, in connection with a felony count of failure to file six consecutive sales tax returns. The probable cause affidavit describes a business known as Epic Cycles Worldwide LLC as “an open business engaged in the sale of custom bicycles, accessories, cafe beverages and baked goods located in Clermont, Lake County Florida.” It is alleged that “as [sole] Member of the business,” Roman “failed to report and remit sales tax to the State of Florida Department of Revenue.”
According to documents filed with the court, “[n]umerous contact attempts were made by Department of Revenue Specialists in attempt to resolve the company’s sales tax delinquencies. Comments indicate the Department of Revenue personel (sic) spoke with Roman Gonzalez in regard to the non-payment of sales tax.” When questioned during a state official’s field visit, Roman cited “cash flow issues” as the root of the business’ problems. The filed affidavit states Roman admitted “that he has been educated on numerous occasions by the Department of Revenue’s civil collection staff out of the Lake County office regarding theft of state funds, and that the sales tax monies are not his to use.”
[PHOTO SOURCE: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
“It is apparent from all documentary evidence and witness testimony obtained,” the affidavit claims, “that Roman Gonzalez had knowledge that failure to file six consecutive returns was a felony.” Roman gained pre-trial release from the Lake County Jail after spending approximately five hours in custody.
________________________________________
James Hope is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer who has been practicing criminal law in Tavares, Florida, since 1987. He has also been the Publisher and Executive Editor of Lake Legal News since 2009. He may be contacted at LakeLegalNews@gmail.com, or through his website at www.AttorneyJamesHope.com. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
