Jason Stevens, Owner Of DUMBO Wedding Venue ReBar, Arraigned On Tax Charges
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The owner of a popular wedding spot in Brooklyn was arrested and arraigned on tax charges Thursday, nearly a week after he abruptly closed the venue, allegedly stiffing wedding couples and employees.
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, Jason Stevens, who appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court, has been charged with grand larceny and criminal tax fraud. He allegedly owed as much as $3 million in unpaid taxes.
Stevens allegedly made off with $150,000 in wedding deposits. ReBar had 200 weddings and events booked through 2016.
ReBar Owner Jason Stevens Arraigned After Suddenly Closing DUMBO Wedding Venue
Heather Epstein, who was to be married at reBar in June, said she was "excited" to learn about Stevens' arrest. She said she paid the venue nearly $20,000 and has accepted that it's unlikely the money will be recovered.
"I mean, this is good news for at least us reBar couples, whether we receive money or not," Epstein told Diamond. "It's great that he has surfaced. We can get some kind of justice."
Epstein said she was shocked to learn Stevens' alleged offenses date back to 2009.
Stevens was reportedly arrested at his home in Brooklyn. The New York Daily News reported that he surrendered voluntarily. He has been released on $100,000 bond.
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