EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged the former owner of Zapp Thai Restaurant Inc. in Edwardsville, alleging he defrauded the state of more than $100,000 in sales tax revenue, authorities said.
The Attorney General’s office charged Saran Puribhat, 54, of Belleville, with two counts of theft of government property exceeding $100,000, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison; one count of sales tax evasion exceeding $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; 39 counts of fraudulently filing of sales and use tax returns and one count of wire fraud, all Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Puribhat’s next court date is May 11, 2026.
“Individuals who falsify sales taxes are not just stealing from the state; they are stealing from the residents who rely on the important programs and services funded by Illinois tax revenue,” Attorney General Raoul said. “I appreciate the continued collaboration with the Illinois Department of Revenue as we seek to hold these individuals accountable.”
Raoul’s office alleges Puribhat owned and operated Zapp Thai Restaurant from approximately February 2013 to February 2024. During the last four years of ownership, Puribhat allegedly reported false monthly sales totals on monthly Illinois sales and use tax forms, which the attorney general’s office said led to the state being defrauded of at least $103,607 in sales tax.
The Attorney General’s office said it is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
“Sales tax revenue is essential to funding critical public services across Illinois, and businesses have a clear responsibility to report and remit those funds accurately,” said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris. “The Illinois Department of Revenue is committed to enforcing compliance and will continue working with the Attorney General to hold those accountable who attempt to evade their obligations.”
The theft of government property charges are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The sales tax evasion charge is a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The remaining counts are Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison, Raoul’s office said.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Goff is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.
Puribhat is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
