State raids business, owners Mike and Deborah Cashowe $400,000

The Georgia Department of Revenue raided a Monroe business Thursday moing, closing it down and arresting it's owners on charges they stole hundreds of thousands of tax dollars.

Mike and Deborah Cash own the Mega Mike store on Broad St. which sells everything from electronics to household items. State investigators say the couple collected state sales tax from customers, but failed to tu the money into the state.

"They've been in business since 1993," Josh Waites with the Department of Revenue says. "They have been habitual tax thieves."

But most in the community know the Cash family as great ambassadors for the area.

"[They] help with the boy scout troupes and in their church. So I just hope this is a mistake," Debbie Gilmore says.

State investigators say it's not.

In all, investigators say the couple pocketed nearly $200,000 that should have gone to the state and local govements. When fees and penalties are included, the couple owes $400,000.

"That money comes back to the local community to pay for roads and police and fire," Waites says. "And when they steal it, it never comes back to the community."

State investigators say the couple have been stealing the tax money since they opened in the store in the early '90's. They also say the couple have been notified and interviewed about their debt dozens of times since then.

"Criminal investigators have come out and talked to them and interviewed them and they still continue to collect the tax and steal it," Waites says.

The Cashs are in the Walton County Jail on theft by conversion charges. The state has taken over their store and will auction off the merchandise inside, to try and make up some of the missing money.