TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The owner of Tallahassee restaurant Julie's Place is accused of stealing more than $12,000 he collected from customers, but failed to send in to the State of Florida.
The businessman, 50-year-old David Wendland, is the owner of Monroe Restaurants Inc., which was was doing business as Julie's Place.
Wendland, a Tallahassee resident, was arrested by the Leon County Sheriff's Office on February 8, 2013. He faces a felony charge relating to the theft of state funds. If convicted, he faces up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines, as well as possible payment of penalty and investigative costs.
According to Revenue Department investigators, Mr. Wendland collected tax from customers at his restaurant. However, during various periods beginning in 2010, lasting through periods in 2012, he failed to send in to the state all of the sales taxes that were collected.
“It is an honor to serve the vast majority of Florida businesses who comply with State tax requirements,” said Marshall Stranburg, Interim Executive Director, Florida Department of Revenue. “For those that don’t, it is our job to enforce the law and ensure honest businesses are not placed at a competitive disadvantage by those who ignore the law or intentionally collect and steal taxpayer dollars.”
If you have information about tax crimes, please call the Florida Department of Revenue Investigations office in Tallahassee at 850-487-0461.
Julie’s Place is located at 2901 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee.
