Ordeal not over for many despite reBar guilty plea
A Brooklyn business owner has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and faces up to 10 years behind bars. In two agreements with separate law enforcement agencies, Jason Stevens, owner of reBar, agreed to pay restitution to the state, city, and jilted couples that planned weddings at the Brooklyn venue. Stevens, who has made claims of poverty in the past, may not be able to repay restitution in excess of $6 million, leaving many wondering if they will ever be made financially whole.
Stevens provided many of Brooklyn’s betrothed with a shock when he unexpectedly shut down the noted wedding venue in DUMBO last month with a simple note that the business had gone bankrupt. Stevens disappeared with thousands of dollars in wedding deposits only to surface few weeks later with a criminal indictment hanging over his head.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office filed charges of tax fraud against Stevens, who, the indictment read, failed to pay taxes from 2009-2012. In a plea deal with the DA’s office, Stevens plead guilty on June 12, and agreed to repay over $6 million in principal, interest and penalties on his tax liability. In addition to the tax liability, Stevens will serve between three and 10 years behind bars.