(will be adding a better image when I get it)
According to local CPA John Fullerton, Rita's is
"more than $300,000 behind in their sales tax payments to the state of California. The state has seized their liquor license and are selling it at auction. Minimum bid is $82,000."
There was this comment on John Fullerton's post.
I have added a statement from Mr. Fregoso. His statement was also verified by Eureka ABC.
Mr. Fregoso's statement:
"Here are the facts the license sold yesterday. In fact it sold to the same person we tried to sell it to. Debora from Double Ds in Fortuna."
"Mostly due to not using the license at the Harris location is why the license was sold but again Ritas plan was to sell it anyway."
"I think the paperwork may be incorrect with the license but given the hassle all this has been, a higher cost of business, tighter margins among other reasons, the plan was to allow the license to sell. The outcome isn’t much different except that it’s become public. "
"Regarding Fullerton he had done books for competitors. I don’t know him and his facts are erroneous."
"There is a liabitly to the cdtfa a lot of that is disputed and we have had counsel on the matter. "
"I personally think our food is good as well as the drinks. We value all of our customers and understand they all have the ability to cast dollar votes."
"So as it stands today the license we wanted to sell anyway was sold. It was from the Harris location that hasn’t been open in two years for reasons that were out of control. If someone is interested in another license like Mr Fullerton there are a few for sale. In fact in the past three months we have been called by brokers multiple times."
Kathy Spreen from Eureka ABC:
"Yes, the license (Rita’s on Harris Street) was seized by Calif. Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration. The sole bidder got the license for $80,000, Double D Steak in Fortuna."
The only facts I (John Fullerton) gave were correct. The state seized the license for over $300,000 of sales taxes long past due. I got those facts directly from the Dept of Fees & Administration notice posted above.
ReplyDeleteI have also stated I like Rita's restaurant on 5th street and was sad to hear this. If the seizure had to do with the Harris st location I am happy.
John Fullerton, in the end, this article brought some facts out. What Roberto said was verified.
DeleteYou told me via email someone sent you this image. The notice was posted at Eureka City Hall and the fact that the Harris Street license was sold was very easily verifiable. People post stuff on social media or pass out information which is and can be inaccurate. In this case, a blurry image from someone who did not have all the facts sent to you. You chose to share it on Facebook. It is one reason I did this post and followed up. This isn't limited to Humboldt but irresponsible and inaccurate sharing of information on social media is a big issue. Instead of going to law enforcement or the appropriate authority or media to properly verify something, people just post on social media or privately pass out incomplete and inaccurate information. Then it gets shared either on social media or privately. Not only is that irresponsible, in this case it involved someone's business. Would you or the person who sent you this image like misleading, incomplete facts shared about your or your business?