FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 1997

GREENVILLE BUSINESSMAN CHARGED WITH FAILING TO FILE STATE SALES, INCOME TAX RETURNS

The former owner of a Greenville submarine sandwich shop and a catering business was arrested today by South Carolina Department of Revenue investigators and charged with multiple counts of failing to file state sales and income tax returns.

Dale Alan VanDonkelaar, former owner of The Submarine and Creative Catering, was charged by the DOR with 24 counts of failure to file state sales tax returns and four counts of failure to file state income tax returns. He was released on a $12,000 personal recognizance bond by Magistrate Judge U.J. Thompson.

An investigation by the DOR showed a business corporation that included VanDonkelaar surrendered their retail sales license in March, 1993, after the business relationship ended. However, VanDonkelaar continued to operate the catering business without a license until June, 1995. During that period, he did not file a sales tax return with the Department of Revenue or remit the sales tax on his business earnings. VanDonkelaar's estimated sales during that period was $186,048, and his tax liability on that amount is $9,302.

The DOR also alleges that VanDonkelaar failed to file state income tax returns from 1991-94. His tax liability during that period has not yet been established.

If convicted of all the charges, VanDonkelaar could be sentenced to 28 years in jail and fined $280,000.