Owners’ arrests paint dark cloud over NJ’s latest attempt at arena football

<p>The owners of the Jersey Flight arena football team were arrested this week on charges of tax fraud.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 11, 2018, 9:00 PM

Updated 2,182 days ago

Share:

The owners of the Jersey Flight arena football team were arrested this week on charges of tax fraud.
The arrests come just several weeks after the team had their home opener in Trenton. It paints a dark cloud over New Jersey’s latest attempt to have arena football in the state.
Sam Davis and Kyna Felder-Ruiz run Get Organized Tax and Accounting out of Plainfield. They allegedly filed dozens of false tax returns for a five-year period. It cost the government $230,000. Davis is also charged with falsely reporting their gross business income for a span of two years.
But despite this setback, Felder-Ruiz says that it won’t change their status as owners of the flight. The owners say that they have high hopes for the team.
The Jersey Flight is a brand new team in a league that is only two years old. Arena football is known for its unorthodox style of play.
"You'll see guys catch a ball and go over the wall and if you're sitting in that front row, you might have a player end up in your lap,” says one player.
The team is coached by southern New Jersey native Jake Grande, who has coached arena football for nearly 10 years. He says that he believes that the team will work because of the dedication from Davis and Felder-Ruiz.
Players say that they get a sense of that as well. 
"I think everything's gonna be great and we're gonna be here for the long haul,” says player Jordan Page.
Davis says that they've invested a little more than $500,000 into the Flight and anticipates that number to rise. 
Davis and Felder-Ruiz are next due in court Aug. 2. Their attorney did not return calls for comment.


More from News 12
1:38
Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

2:27
Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

1:01
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

0:26
‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

1:34
Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

0:28
Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

1:47
NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

0:27
Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

0:42
Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

0:16
Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

0:19
Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

0:17
Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

0:33
What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

What marijuana reclassification means for the United States