Popular Mexican restaurant in Lexington briefly closes amid visit from IRS
A popular Mexican restaurant on the south side of Lexington briefly closed Tuesday while they were visited by federal investigators.
Officials from the IRS’ criminal investigation unit were spotted at Mi Pequeña Hacienda on Lansdowne Drive Tuesday afternoon. Agents were observed carrying out several bins.
The agency investigates potential financial crimes, according to its website. A spokesperson for the IRS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Multiple Kentucky State Police cruisers were also at the scene. It’s unknown what involvement state police had in the operation.
A spokesperson for the state police also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was unclear why, exactly, investigators were at the restaurant and what, if any, evidence was collected. The Herald-Leader did not see anyone taken into police custody.
Mi Pequeña Hacienda was closed while officials were at the restaurant. Authorities began leaving the scene around 1:10 p.m., and a manager at the restaurant said he planned to reopen sometime later Tuesday.
The restaurant is owned by Salas Enterprises Corp., Lorena Salas Gallegos serves as the president of the corporation, while the vice presidents are Julián Gallegos and Merari A. Tackett.
The trio also owns a second Mi Pequeña Hacienda in Nicholasville, located on Cynthia Drive.
