Former Bike Shop Owner Jailed for Tax Evasion
A former Newport Beach bicycle shop owner was sentenced recently to 27 months in jail for tax evasion.
Douglas Payson Lachman, 59, of Costa Mesa, former owner and operator of Let It Roll bicycle shop, was sentenced on June 13, the state Board of Equalization wrote in a statement released last week.
Lachman plead guilty to nine counts of felony sales tax evasion in January, the statement explains.
He had two Let It Roll locations in Newport Beach and one in Costa Mesa.
The shop catered to customers looking for bikes to ride around on the beach – typically known as “beach cruisers,” the statement reads. The store bicycles, parts, accessories and offered repair and rental services.
Between 2002 and 2009, Lachman understated approximately $7 million in taxable sales, according to the BOE, totaling a sales tax loss of $553,478.
“The investigation into Lachman and his business started in 2010 when he failed to report a large amount of sales tax and submitted false records to the BOE,” the statement explains
“In addition to his incarceration, Lachman has paid $125,000 of the $553,478 owed in restitution to the BOE,” authorities explained in the prepared statement.
He will also be placed on supervised release for five years and nine months following his release from jail .
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sean O’Brien of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Former Mayors Endorse Candidate Tim Brown
Three more former Newport Beach mayors – Evelyn Hart, Mike Henn, and Nancy Gardner – have announced their support for Newport Beach City Council candidate Tim Brown.
Brown is running for the District Four Newport Beach City Council seat that will be open as Leslie Daigle terms out at the end of this year.
He now has the endorsement and support of a total of 10 former Newport Beach Mayors as well as current City Council member Tony Petros.
“As a current Newport Beach City Councilman and former Mayor, I am pleased to announce my support for Tim Brown for election to the Newport Beach City Council,” said Michael Henn, who is in his last term on the City Council and also served as the City’s Mayor from 2010- 2011.
“Tim has served our city for many years beginning with his work on the Aviation Committee in 1996, later his service as a Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commissioner and now today as a Planning Commissioner. His passion for the welfare of our city and its residents is extraordinary,” added Henn. “I know Tim to be fiscally conservative, a strong supporter of real property rights and an advocate for business interests. When elected, he will be an outstanding civic leader.”
Endorsements for Brown have also come from the hospitality industry in Newport Beach including Linda Beinfohr with Hornblower Cruises and Events; Andy Theodorou, General Manager of the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina; Debbie Snavely, General Manager of Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa; and Karl Krueger, General Manager of the Fairmont Newport Beach.
Brown is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for Leadership Tomorrow and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Lobsterfest Foundation and Vocational Service Chair for the Newport Sunrise Rotary Club.
For more information, visit timbrownforcouncil2014.com.
Junior Lifeguards Kicks Off Summer, Celebrates 30 Years
More than 1300 kids will gathered on the beach on the Balboa Peninsula Monday, marking the start of the popular summer Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard program.
“This summer is extra special as we are celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the program,” said Katie Eing, Emergency Services Coordinator for the Newport Beach Fire Department.
The group of kids, between the ages of 9 and 17, will spend seven weeks learning about ocean safety and protection.
For more information, visit the Junior Lifeguards webpage at newportbeachca.gov under the Departments & Services tab, Fire Department page in the Marine Operations Division.
