Crumbl Cookies in Viera owner arrested for pocketing sales tax she collected - The Space Coast Rocket

HomeCrimeCrumbl Cookies in Viera owner arrested for pocketing sales tax she collected

Crumbl Cookies in Viera owner arrested for pocketing sales tax she collected

Published on

May 15, 2024

By Robert Burns

Shae-Marie-Malachowski

- Advertisement -

All Aluminum Summer Sale

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article listed she was charged with the delinquency of a minor. That is not correct and was from a previous article. It has been updated.

- Advertisement -

Palm Bay, FL – Shae M. Malachowski, a Palm Bay resident and business owner, has been arrested and charged with theft of state funds related to sales tax evasion. The arrest follows an extensive investigation by the Florida Department of Revenue, revealing over $102,000 in unpaid sales taxes.

The investigation, led by Revenue Investigator Lindsay Davis, focused on Shae Malachowski LLC, operating under the names Crumbl Cookies and Crumbl Viera. The investigation uncovered that from June 2022 to June 2023, Malachowski collected $103,203.29 in sales tax from customers but failed to remit these funds to the State of Florida.

Shae’s LinkedIn profile photo

The investigation was initiated after routine checks and customer complaints. During the investigation, Davis discovered that Malachowski had systematically underreported sales and diverted tax funds for personal use. Despite being registered with the Florida Department of Revenue and being aware of the legal obligations, Malachowski did not fulfill her tax duties.

- Advertisement -

The probable cause affidavit, filed on February 14, 2024, details the charges against Malachowski, including:

Felony theft of state funds (sales tax) under Section 212.15 (2) (d) of Florida Statutes.

Malachowski’s business, located at 2270 Town Center Ave, Suite 111, Melbourne, FL, was found to have significant compliance issues. Despite earning substantial revenue, Malachowski’s firm failed to remit the required sales taxes. The investigation also revealed attempts to evade detection, including failing to file returns on time and providing false information to revenue officers.

- Advertisement -

During the investigation, Malachowski admitted to some of the discrepancies but attributed them to accounting errors and inadequate support from her former attorney and accountant. She acknowledged the business’s financial struggles but maintained that the tax evasion was not intentional.

Malachowski was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Brevard County Jail. She faces severe penalties if convicted, including significant fines and possible imprisonment.

Malachowski’s court date has yet to be announced.

Document_37694249_RD

- Advertisement -

Upcoming Events

Facebook Posts

The Space Coast Rocket

7 hours ago

🚨 HIT-AND-RUN ALERT – COCOA, FL COMMUNITY HELP NEEDED PLEASE SHARE🚨This morning at approximately 6:48 AM, a 55-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle while walking along Arabella Lane near Barclay Drive in Cocoa. The driver fled the scene, leaving her with non-life-threatening injuries. She was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center.The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2004–2008 silver or gold Honda Accord with damage to the right side mirror and front bumper.WARNING: Graphic video of the collision below in comments.If you have any information, please contact *FHP (347) or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.Let’s help catch whoever did this. Please share. #CocoaFL #HitAndRun #BrevardCounty #FHP #CommunityAlert ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Space Coast Rocket

21 hours ago

BREAKING: A federal judge just found that the Department of Homeland Security has been making arrests in Los Angeles immigration raids without probable cause, ordering the department to stop detaining individuals based solely on race, spoken language or occupation. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Space Coast Rocket

21 hours ago

Walmart on Palm Bay Rd….what in the #FloridaMan type nonsense is this? Limited edition? Not limited enough. Target would never. Pringles who in the board meeting pitched Miller Light and well-done steak flavored chips and what was the vote to approve it? ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Space Coast Rocket

24 hours ago

Florida Highway Patrol Three-Peats in America’s Best Looking Cruiser ContestToday, the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) announced the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) as the 2025 winner of its annual America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest — marking a historic three-peat for the Sunshine State. Florida is now the first state in contest history to win three consecutive years.This year’s winning photo features FHP’s black and tan Corvette cruiser set against the backdrop of a vibrant Miami sunset, with the city’s iconic skyline in the distance. It’s a tribute to the energy, strength, and beauty of Florida — and a reflection of the pride FHP takes in representing all corners of the state.“Florida is a state filled with pride and support for our law enforcement officers, and this historic, first ever three-peat is a reflection of that,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This first-ever three-peat is a credit to our team’s creativity, our agency’s mission, and the thousands of Floridians who rallied behind us once again. I’m incredibly proud of our troopers, staff, and the support we’ve received from the public and our partners statewide. And, the fact remains that the Florida Highway Patrol “Black and Tan” IS the nation’s BEST LOOKING CRUISER.” "The AAST Best Looking Cruiser competition is great way for our State Troopers across the nation to connect with those we serve,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “Your Florida Highway Patrol members are proud to represent the great State of Florida on this national stage. This win is for everyone that participated — and for the public, who benefit every day from strong partnerships and a shared commitment to public safety. Thank you, Florida, for making history with us!”The 2025 contest kicked off on June 30 and featured a record 49 states. After two weeks of intense online voting, Florida emerged victorious in one of the closest finishes in contest history. Florida’s winning photo will be featured on the cover of the 2026 AAST America’s Best Looking Cruiser Calendar, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for the children of state troopers nationwide. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Space Coast Rocket

24 hours ago

🚨 Republican Senators Call For Hearings Over Hegseth Reportedly Going Behind Trump’s Back On Ukraine Weapons Order Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) is calling for Senate hearings after explosive reports revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine without informing President Trump, a decision Trump has since reversed.Several Republican senators have voiced serious alarm, with one telling The Hill:“This isn’t a small arms deal to a random nation — this is Ukraine. For the Secretary of Defense to act out of sync with the President on an issue this big? That’s beyond concerning. It’s alarming.”Sen. Lindsey Graham added, “We’ll get to the bottom of that,” while Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) slammed Hegseth on CNN as “amateurish” and said he’s starting to question if Hegseth should’ve ever been confirmed in the first place.Meanwhile, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) is raising concerns that Pentagon official Elbridge Colby may have acted on his own. But CNN reports the pause came directly from Hegseth — and the White House was left scrambling to explain the decision.Trump says he was never informed.Do you support a full Senate investigation into this Ukraine weapons pause? Should heads roll? Tell us what you think. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

More like this