Prior Lake man charged with tax fraud allegedly set his liquor store ablaze

March 02--A onetime Shakopee liquor store owner has been charged with tax fraud and is accused of setting the business ablaze in 2012, authorities said Tuesday.

Randy A. Lentz, 47, of Prior Lake, was arrested last week by Internal Revenue Service agents and charged in federal court with tax evasion, an allegation connected to the suspicious fire that brought operation of WineStyles to a charred conclusion.

The agents arrested Lentz with the assistance of the Shakopee Police Department, on one count of federal tax evasion stemming from the fire inside WineStyles, which had been located among several retail outlets just northwest of Hwys. 21 and 18.

In announcing the arrest and charge, Shakopee police said that state and federal investigators "found evidence of arson, tax fraud, insurance fraud and bankruptcy fraud."

"This was an exhaustive process," said Police Chief Jeff Tate. "We are pleased to see charges come from the investigation. We are confident that the individual responsible for the fire will face consequences for his actions."

Lentz remains free on a $25,000 unsecured bond. His attorney, Kevin DeVore, said Wednesday that authorities "have been trying to nail Lentz with the arson charge, and they've never been able to do that. I think it was a source of frustration for the Shakopee police. It's a little troubling that they would go to this length."

Federal authorities say in their indictment that the tax fraud dates back to 2004, when Lentz "substantially underreported" income for three years from a remodeling business he owned.

And even though he later inherited $400,000 upon his father's death, Lentz chose not to pay the nearly $190,000 that he owed in taxes and interest, according to the indictment.

Instead, in 2010 he gave some of the inheritance to a relative and his girlfriend, who then made the money available for Lentz to buy the liquor store. Lentz also laundered some of the inheritance through the relative to buy a townhouse, prosecutors also alleged.

The overnight fire in November 2012 ignited an explosion and was quickly declared arson by law enforcement. Four other businesses in the strip mall were damaged to lesser degrees.

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