A used car dealer is facing felony charges after investigators say he pocketed more than $60,000 in state sales taxes collected from customers over four years.
According to records filed in Broward County Circuit Court, Zeev Lelinger, 53, the owner of a used car enterprise named Eden Cars Inc., was arrested Wednesday at his Lauderhill home on charges of theft of state funds. Records show one of Eden Cars’ locations tied to Lelinger was located at 5845 Funston Street in Hollywood. The location has since closed.
A Florida Department of Revenue investigation determined that between January 2020 and June 2024, Lelinger collected $212,804.15 in sales taxes from vehicle buyers but remitted only $147,377.28 to the state. Prosecutors say he failed to turn over the remaining funds, which were determined to be more than $60,000…