MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A former Memphis restaurant owner is headed to prison.
A Shelby County judge sentenced chef Wendell Price to three years in jail after price violated probation on his tax evasion and theft conviction. U.S. Marshals captured him in Houston, Texas in January 2012 and brought him back to Memphis.
ABC 24 News has followed the troubled chef for the past six years. Investigative reporter Jeni DiPrizio interviewed price in 2006 about a dumpster dispute involving price's restaurant, Wendell's World Beat Grill. South Main business owners had accused Price of tossing trash in an alley near his restaurant, and complained it was a health hazard.
Three years later Price was arrested for tax evasion, indicted on 14 felony counts. He was given a three year suspended sentence, granted diversion and placed on probation. As a part of the deal he had to repay the state more than $31,000.
Price didn't pay up, and will now spend the next three years behind bars.
