A former Red Bluff City Councilman is awaiting sentencing on a long list of theft offenses. 44-year-old Suren Patel was extradited from Florida last September after being arrested while apparently trying to flee the country. Patel was appointed to the Red Bluff City Council to fill a vacant seat near the end of 2014. As owner of America’s Best Value Inn in Red Bluff, Patel was required to pay a bed tax to the city. Tehama County District Attorney Greg Cohen says he failed to pay Thousands of Dollars in taxes and also fraudulently charged $6000 to a guest’s credit card. The investigation into Patel began with allegations that he failed to pay workers compensation insurance and that he collected rent from tenants on public housing assistance. Patel no longer owns the motel. He was arrested in July of last year in Florida, where he was apparently trying to catch a flight to the Caribbean. His bail was initially set at a Million Dollars but it was reduced to $300,000 after he surrendered his passport. He posted bond and remains out of custody. His sentencing is set for February 22nd.