Clearwater strip club owner accused of stealing sales taxes, not filing returns

CLEARWATER — The owner of a strip club was arrested for allegedly failing to file state sales tax returns and stealing sales taxes owed to the state, the Florida Department of Revenue announced Monday.

Randolph R. Lanton II, 40, of Clearwater was arrested Monday by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Lanton operated Fantasy Nude, at 1441 U.S. 19 N.

Lanton collected taxes from customers during various periods in 2007 and 2008, but failed to submit tax returns and send to the state all of the sales tax he had collected, according to investigators. They determined that he illegally kept $5,600 in tax money, authorities said.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.