Feds bust Chinatown restaurateur Tony Hu on tax-related charges

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Well-known Chinatown restaurateur Tony Hu has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly under-reporting restaurant receipts paid in cash, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

The ABC7 I-Team first reported that the feds raided nine of Hu's restaurants in October 2014.

PHOTOS: Chinatown restaurants raided by FBI agents

FBI agents raided restaurants in Chinatown on Friday as "part of an ongoing investigation," according to a bureau media representative.

Hu, also known as Hu Xiaojun, 48, of Chicago, owns several popular restaurants in the Chicago area, including Lao Sze Chuan. Hu is a popular figure on local television and a nationally known food star. His businesses all feature photos of him with local politicians.

Hu has been awarded just about every major civic commendation in Chicago's Chinese community; and was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011 to the city landmark buildings commission.

The feds say Hu withheld sales taxes from the Illinois Department of Revenue when customers paid cash. He would then deposit that money into his personal bank account.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.