Catfish Fridays owner arrested
By: Michael Neibauer
Examiner Staff Writer
April 15, 2009
The owner of Catfish Fridays in Northeast D.C. was arrested Wednesday, accused of operating without a license and failing to pay more than $175,000 in sales taxes, the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue announced.
Christopher Dinwiddie, of 44 Franklin St. NE, was taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department for running his popular takeout joint at 2312 Fourth St. in Edgewood without a business license. Dinwiddie was 16th on the list of most delinquent D.C. taxpayers, owing roughly $182,500.
The city had shut down the eatery, which also included a catering business called The Breakfast Club, on Jan. 16 because they say Dinwiddie failed to pay sales taxes collected from patrons, and failed to file sales and use tax returns. But city officials allege that Dinwiddie later reentered the premises and resumed business operations.
Catfish Fridays specialized in soul food and, obviously, catfish.
“Through our compliance initiatives we are aggressively pursuing those who blatantly disregard the law,” Stephen Cordi, deputy chief financial officer for tax and revenue, said in a statement. “Violators will be punished to the fullest extent possible.”
Dinwiddie faces 30 days in jail and/or $1,000 in fines if found guilty, in addition to paying back taxes and penalties.
To report tax fraud, call OTR’s tax fraud hotline at 1-800-380-3495.
mneibauer@washingtonexaminer.com
