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Officials: Owner kept $51,000 in sales taxes

The former operator of a car repair shop is charged with the failure to file and pay taxes.

By JOSE CARDENAS, Times Staff Writer
Published January 15, 2008

CLEARWATER - The former operator of a Clearwater car repair shop has been charged with keeping $51,000 in sales taxes that authorities say he should have sent to the Florida Department of Revenue.

Keith A. Cox, 39, of New Port Richey was arrested last week in Hillsborough County by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on felony charges related to failure to file tax returns and pay taxes.

Cox operated Keith Cox Automotive, in the 1100 block of Court Street in Clearwater, according to state officials.

But Cox, who now works in Hillsborough, no longer operates his business at that address and on Monday declined to comment on the charge.

State officials allege that Cox collected sales taxes from customers but did not send all of it to the state from September 2006 and August 2007.

Under state law, the officials said, sales taxes are the property of the state at the moment of collection.

If convicted, Cox faces up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, according to state revenue officials. He also could have to pay back the taxes plus interest, a penalty and investigative costs.

[Last modified January 14, 2008, 22:00:37]