YOUR AD HERE »

Hotel owner in hot water again following DUI arrest

Staff Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The owner of two South Lake Tahoe hotels will face charges of failing to pay the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving this week.

Eneliko Smith was arrested in Las Vegas Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a statement from South Lake Tahoe police.

During the booking process, Las Vegas law enforcement officials discovered a no bail warrant for Smith out of El Dorado County for alleged probation violations.



Smith violated probation by failing to keep his probation officer informed of his whereabouts and not paying back thousands of dollars owed to the city, according to the statement.

In April 2010, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft and was sentenced to probation for failing to pay the city about $150,000 in unpaid hotel taxes from the Cedar Lodge and The Block.



It’s unknown whether Smith still owns the properties.

Smith will be extradited to El Dorado County to face charges related to the alleged probation violations, according to a police statement.

He has previously said the failure to pay the city’s hotel tax was the result of a clerical error.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.