Owners of popular Springfield restaurant charged with theft and sales tax evasion

The owners of a popular Mexican restaurant in Springfield were charged Thursday with theft and accused of defrauding the state of over $100,000 in sales tax revenue.

Amanda and Nicolas Paz, owners of AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill, pleaded not guilty in Sangamon County Circuit Court to felony charges of theft of government funds over $100,000 and sales tax evasion.

An investigation by the Illinois Department of Revenue's Criminal Investigation Division alleged the couple participated in a scheme of underreporting monthly sales to accountants and to the state while still collecting and keeping the sales tax revenue.

CID said the Paz's had reported false revenue to accountants over a period of over four years, from January 2015 to October 2019. The state said the restaurant owners had underreported more than $1 million from the restaurants sales.

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Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who brought the charges, said that the Paz's had taken advantage of their customers through the purported scheme and had deprived government programs of much needed revenue.

"Business operators who commit sales tax fraud take advantage of customers who have paid to help them meet their tax obligations and also deprive important programs and services of needed revenue," Raoul said. "I appreciate the continued partnership of the Illinois Department of Revenue as we seek to hold these individuals accountable."

The next court date was set for Aug. 22. If convicted, the couple faces up to 30 years in prison.

Contacted Thursday following the initial hearing, Nicolas Paz said the restaurant would remain open pending the outcome of the case.

Contact Zach Roth: (217) 899-4338; ZDRoth@gannett.com; @ZacharyRoth13

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: AZ-T-CA restaurant owners in Springfield accused of theft, tax evasion