SAN DIEGO — The owner of several popular San Diego County restaurants has been convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy and tax fraud.
A federal jury convicted Leronce Suel, 46, of crimes related to false information for COVID relief funds and failing to report more than $1.7 million to the IRS.
Suel was the majority owner of several popular restaurants that are now shuttered, including StreetCar Merchants Chicken Bar in North Park, Suckerfree Southern Plate and Bar in Downtown San Diego and Shotcollar Street Soul Food in Lincoln Park.
According to federal prosecutors, Suel and his business partner conspired to underreport more than $1.7 in gross receipts in his company’s 2020 corporate tax return and COVID relief applications. Suel and his partner also fraudulently received more than $1.7 million in COVID-related Paycheck Protection Program Loans.
Prosecutors said Suel and partner withdrew the cash from business bank accounts and used the money to buy a home in Arkansas.
Investigators seized more than $2.4 million in cash that was hidden inside shoe boxes, according to federal prosecutors.
“Shirking taxes, lying to the IRS, and stealing COVID relief funds - these are not victimless crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This jury saw through greed and deceit to ensure protection of federal programs designed to support our infrastructure and serve those in need.”
Suel is ordered to forfeit nearly $1.5 million to the federal government.
“For more than a decade, Mr. Suel evaded his tax responsibilities both as an individual and as a business owner,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Even worse than evading his tax obligations, during the COVID pandemic, Mr. Suel fraudulently obtained grants and loans intended to help businesses struggling in the wake of the pandemic and used those funds for personal gain."
After conviction, Suel stipulated to forfeit $1,466,918 from the $2.4 million seized as proceeds traceable to his pandemic relief fraud.
Suel is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 13.
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