Tampa owner of hotel, club charged in sales tax theft

TAMPA - A Tampa hotel and nightclub manager stole more than $46,000 in sales tax from the state, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
Jai Lalwani, who operated and was chief executive of the Westshore Hotel and the Temple Lounge, was arrested Dec. 23 in Polk County. Charges against the 32-year-old Wesley Chapel man include tax evasion and theft of state funds.
Lalwani collected tax from customers at the two businesses but during periods in 2008 and 2009 failed to file tax returns or send sales tax to the state, a Department of Revenue release states