St. Louis Business Owner Charged With Tax Evasion

Michael Delong faces misdemeanor charges for operating a business without a retail sales tax license.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a generic brick building facade, evoking the institutional gravity of tax regulatory enforcement. — St. Louis business owner Michael Delong faces misdemeanor tax evasion charges for allegedly operating his café without a valid retail sales tax license. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should businesses operating without proper state licenses face immediate legal charges?

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney has charged 52-year-old Michael Delong for allegedly operating his Holly Hills Avenue business without a valid retail sales tax license. Authorities claim the Speakeasy Café continued sales despite his license being revoked in October 2025.

Why it matters

The unlicensed operations reportedly resulted in a loss of approximately $14,000 in state tax revenue. This case highlights the enforcement of retail licensing requirements by state authorities to ensure proper tax collection.

Michael Delong faces a misdemeanor charge for retail sales without a license. His court hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2026.

The players

Michael Delong

He is the 52-year-old owner of the Speakeasy Café who faces misdemeanor charges for operating without a tax license.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney

This office is responsible for prosecuting criminal charges within the city of St. Louis.

Missouri Department of Revenue

This state agency oversees tax collection, licensing, and compliance for businesses operating within Missouri.

The details

Missouri Department of Revenue records indicate that Delong's license has not been reinstated since it was lost in late 2025. Investigators monitored the Holly Hills Avenue business throughout the summer of 2026 before issuing the summons.

October 2025: Delong lost his sales tax license.
Summer 2026: Authorities monitored the business.
September 29, 2026: The St. Louis Circuit Attorney charged Delong.
October 28, 2026: A court hearing is scheduled for the case.

Roadmap

The charges against Delong follow the enforcement protocols established by the Missouri retail sales tax licensing statute, which mandates that retailers remain in good standing to conduct commerce. This case underscores the state's ongoing efforts to curb revenue loss through aggressive oversight of local storefronts.

This case highlights the importance of regulatory compliance for local business owners and may lead to increased scrutiny of neighborhood storefronts by tax authorities. Residents should be aware that the city is actively monitoring businesses to ensure they operate with valid licenses.

The takeaway

Small business owners must ensure their retail sales licenses remain active and compliant with state revenue departments at all times. Failure to maintain these credentials can result in criminal charges and significant financial penalties for the operator.