City Leaders DEI Program FUNDED FRAUD and costs Tax Payers THOUSANDS (ARREST MADE)

The Semi It Market Story

Cindy Rosa, owner of Semi It Market (3401 Chestnut Ave., Newport News), positioned her store as a solution to a local food desert. The market offers fresh produce, meats, and a Puerto Rican café with prepared meals. City leaders approved a $10,000 grant to support it, alongside partnerships with groups like Black BRAND (a local Black Chamber of Commerce).

Rosa highlighted the need after struggling to find fresh fruit nearby. The store received media attention for addressing food insecurity, with plans for an on-site farm and appeals to accept SNAP benefits (which the USDA denied partly due to high prepared food sales).

Now the warrant: Cindy Rosa (5'5", 220 lbs, BF, DOB 04/29/1976) faces an active warrant for WILLFUL FAILURE TO COLLECT & ACCOUNT FOR CITY FOOD & BEV TAX. Arrested or noted around 07/02/2026 at 9700 Jefferson Ave., Newport News.

Newport News imposes a 7.5% tax on food and beverages sold by establishments. Businesses must collect and remit it. Willful failure is a serious offense under city code.

Juicing Life Bar

Michael L. Davis (6'4", 220 lbs, BLK, DOB 01/08/1990), associated with Juicing Life Bar (a juice bar/café offering cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, wraps, and health-focused items at Town Center), has an active warrant for FAIL TO PAY FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX.

This business markets itself as organic, natural, and wellness-oriented — aligning with "equity" and community health pushes in underserved areas.

The Broader Picture: Taxpayer-Funded DEI Efforts

City programs often prioritize small, minority, or "underserved" business grants, supplier diversity, and initiatives to combat food deserts or promote health equity. These include grants, partnerships, and support framed as economic inclusion.

• Taxpayers provided direct funding (e.g., $10k to Semi It Market).
• The city’s Youth Career Program pays for the businesses labor using tax dollars. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2338860719936076
• Meanwhile, these funded businesses allegedly failed to collect/remit Food & Beverage taxes — money meant for city services.

This isn't isolated. Food & Beverage tax enforcement recovers unpaid revenue citywide, but cases like these highlight risks when government picks winners with public dollars without strict accountability.

Questions for City Leaders:

• What vetting occurred before awarding grants?
• How much total taxpayer money went to these and similar DEI-aligned projects?
• Why promote businesses that then allegedly stiff the city on taxes residents pay?

Rosa's market and Davis's bar received positive coverage for filling gaps. But arrests for tax failures suggest the "equity" funding may have subsidized non-compliance, costing taxpayers thousands in lost revenue, enforcement, and unreturned grants.

Newport News residents deserve transparency on these programs. "Good intentions" don't excuse failing to follow basic tax laws — especially when using public funds. Tax compliance isn't optional, regardless of the business's mission.

This case underscores a common critique of DEI-driven spending: outcomes matter more than optics. When funded entities evade taxes, it burdens honest taxpayers twice — once for the grant, again for lost revenue.

City officials and law enforcement should pursue full accountability. Taxpayers are watching.