A Hermosa Beach man was arrested today and charged with three counts of failing to file state income tax returns, according to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).
Richard E. Gonzalez, 46, was arrested by FTB investigators at his workplace in Torrance without incident. He was booked on charges that he failed to file state income tax returns for the years 1998-2000. In those years, Gonzalez, who worked for various employment agencies as a contract engineer, earned more than $324,000. He owes the state more than $15,000 in delinquent taxes.
Investigators say that Gonzalez claimed he did not file because he knew he would owe money and could not afford to pay it, and instead he took a vacation to Hawaii.
Bail was set at $45,000. Arraignment is scheduled for Friday at 8:35 a.m. at the Torrance Courthouse. If convicted, Gonzalez could receive up to five years in state prison.