Look Who's Getting Audited Now

A tea party organization that demanded a refund of event fees it paid the city of Richmond, Va., after officials granted "Occupy" protesters the same services at no cost now is the target of an audit by the city.

Colleen Owens, spokeswoman for the Richmond Tea Party told WND that it's a question of fairness.

The group has paid in excess of $8,500 to the city over the last year or two for special event permit fees, the cost of policemen for security, portable restrooms and the like for its tax protest day events.

When the "Occupy Richmond" protesters were given essentially the same services by the city without cost, the Richmond Tea Party submitted an invoice to the mayor's office for reimbursement of the fees paid.

Owens confirmed to WND that the organization has not received a response to its request but instead received notification of a "comprehensive audit."


She said the suspicion that the city is responding with antagonism is supported by the fact that the letter from Cynthia Carr, a field auditor for the city, alleges that the Richmond Tea Party is "delinquent in the filing and/or payment of Admissions, Lodging and/or Meals Taxes that you are required to collect on behalf of the city."

"As such," the letter says, "your business has been selected for a comprehensive tax audit. In addition to the taxes previously mentioned, this audit may include the review of your business, professional and occupational licenses (business license), Virginia sales tax, and business personal property tax liabilities."

Carr threatens in the letter that "failure to respond and/or provide the information requested may result in the city making a statutory assessment based on the best available information for your business."

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