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The former owner and bookkeeper of a Rockford restaurant face multiple charges for allegedly defrauding Illinois out of over $100,000 in sales taxes.

James Vitale and Lori Rice are accused of underreporting sales for the Stone Eagle Tavern between January 2016 and September 2020.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are due back in court on December 18.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced charges against the former owner and bookkeeper of a Rockford restaurant alleging the pair defrauded the state of Illinois out of more than $100,000 in sales taxes, according to a news release.

James Vitale, 74, of Belvidere, and Lori Rice, 52, of Rockford, were charged in Winnebago County Circuit Court with four counts of theft of governmenta

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