(Memphis) The operator of a troubled Beale Street nightclub also owns a Mo’ Money Taxes franchise in Missouri.
Randy Williams is currently being sued by the Missouri attorney general for operating MoneyCo Halls Ferry, a franchise of MoneyCo USA. MoneyCo USA and Mo’ Money Taxes have been two names used for the same group of tax preparation services.
Williams’s twin brother, Rodney Williams, is the defendant in a similar lawsuit filed by the Illinois attorney general.
Mo’ Money Taxes operations, including the franchises run by the Williamses, have been accused of not distributing customers’ tax refunds after the IRS had already released them.
Randy Williams is the registered agent of Double Entity Entertainment, whose business address is 380 Beale St., currently named Club Crave.
Since Club Crave opened in 2011, there have been several violent incidents just outside the club. The incidents include a stabbing, a shooting where five people were hit in the parking lot, and the beating of an off-duty police officer.
Before Club Crave, 380 Beale St. was occupied by the Plush Club. In its final year, police were called to the location more than 100 times.
The district attorney’s office finally shut down the club for nuisance activity.
There is currently no public nuisance complaint against Club Crave.
“Trouble can happen anywhere when you’re in the bar and restaurant business. But it seems like over the years, they’ve shown us that they’ve had more trouble down there,” said Ty Agee, the president of the Beale Street Merchants Association.
Agee is aware that Club Crave is advertising a big party on Saturday, featuring Nelly.
Agee said he honestly hopes everyone has a good time, without any bad incidents. He said the dangerous history at 380 Beale St. has put a cloud over the historic district, which ends at Fourth Street just before Club Crave.
Now hearing of the connection to Mo’ Money Taxes, Agee said, “I did not connect the dots. And I didn’t even realize this was happening. It makes for another interesting sidebar to Club Crave.”
No one answered the door at the Williams’ Cordova home, and no one answered the phone either.
Neighbor Kevin Ross said he’s never had any issues with them.
“They’ve always been very cordial to us. They have. They’re really great neighbors,” Ross said.
He said he had seen Mo’ Money Taxes decals on the Williams’ cars before, but not this year.
“Yeah, I’ve seen their decals. Yeah. I’ve seen it. So there’s some type of – I don’t know if they’re just sponsoring the company or what. But generally during tax season, that’s what you see on their van.”
Ross said he wants to see all the facts first, before commenting on the situation, but the ties between the two high-profile businesses do not look good.
“Hopefully the community and the citizens will be taken care of, and if they are, great. And if not, I guess justice will be served however they see fit,” he said.
