Surfside Beach businessman charged with operating business without license

A 57-year-old Myrtle Beach man was charged Monday with one count of operating a business in Surfside Beach without a valid retail license, according to a statement issued by the S.C. Department of Revenue.

Investigators say Christopher John Filtrante was advised to obtain a retail license in his own name to run Family Auto Center, 510 Sandy Lane, Unit F, after he continued to use an invalid license in his brother’s name, according to DOR. Filtrante continued operating the business with the invalid license even after being advised of the penalties for operating without a valid retail license, the Department of Revenue said in a statement.

Filtrante was in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Monday and no bond had been set, according to the jail’s website. If found guilty, Filtrante faces up to 30 days of imprisonment and/or a fine up to $200.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Surfside Beach businessman charged with operating business without license."