Top Stories of 2009
As 2009 draws to a close, we thought we’d paw through our archives to dig up some of the more interesting stories that we covered during the past 12 months. From swine flu to Lincoln Center renovations and unexpected Hudson River air activity, there was rarely a dull moment in Manhattan, especially on the West Side. Below are our highlights, in no particular order. Read more
H+H OWNER INDICTED
Helmer Toro, owner of the legendary H+H Bagels, was indicted and charged with tax fraud Nov. 18.
Outgoing Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said the bagel magnate stole withholding taxes—taxes taken out of employees’ paychecks—and evaded unemployment insurance tax. The tax charges are in connection with H+H Bagels’ retail store at 2239 Broadway and West 80th Street, as well as the company’s wholesale operation.
The district attorney’s investigation alleges that Toro collected but failed to pay $369,318 in payroll taxes. Toro is also accused of creating six shell organizations to get a lower unemployment insurance tax rate by moving a large number of workers between these fake companies. He is charged on two counts of violating labor law.
On May 29, two H+H Bagels stores, including the famed Broadway location, closed for three hours when the state department of taxation seized the business. H+H Bagels was allowed to reopen after paying the liability.
Toro was arraigned in State Supreme Court Nov. 18 and pled not guilty. He surrendered his passport and was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court Dec. 4.
As of Nov. 23, the Broadway outpost was still open.
H+H Owner Indicted
Helmer Toro, the owner of legendary H+H Bagels, was indicted and charged with tax fraud on Nov. 18.
Outgoing Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said the bagel magnate stole withholding taxes—taxes taken out of employees’ paychecks—and evaded unemployment insurance tax. The tax charges are in connection with H+H Bagels’ retail store at 2239 Broadway and West 80th Street, as well as the company’s wholesale operation. Read more
H+H CLOSES FOR THREE HOURS
H+H Bagels’ two store locations, including the famed Broadway and West 80th Street shop, were shut down on May 29 because of a tax issue. Around 10 a.m., a red sign was placed on the front door of the Broadway branch to inform customers about the closure.
Police milled about the entrance, refusing to let customers inside, according to one witness.
That branch has since reopened, but the other outpost, at 639 W. 46th St. and 12th Avenue, was still shuttered as of June 2.
The New York Department of Taxation and Finance took the enforcement action against H+H Bagels Inc. because the company owed state taxes.
According to department spokesperson Tom Bergin, two tax warrants were filed for the bagel company’s business name, First Toro Family Limited Partnership, which operates outside of the 2239 Broadway location. The warrants were filed at the end of 2008 in New York County and total $23,285 for failing to pay withholding tax—that is, the taxes taken out of employees’ paychecks—and sales tax.
Amy Dukoff and Helmer Toro were the responsible names for that business. Bergin said that the state tax and finance department tried to resolve the debt with the business.
“We were unable to do so, so we seized the business,” Bergin said. “The owner, or responsible person, paid the liability in full so we allowed them to reopen.”
The company has yet to repay taxes owed by the 639 W. 46th Street location, which is the location for two businesses: Sixth Toro Family Limited Partnership and a manufacturing outfit called United Production Service Inc. Three warrants were filed against Sixth Toro Family Limited Partnership: two in November 2008 and one in May 2009. The warrants for failure to pay a withholding tax and a sales tax total $26,539.
United Production Service Inc., the manufacturing arm of the company, has four warrants, all for failing to pay $57,392 in withholding tax. That has yet to be paid by Toro.
Tax Issues Shutter H+H
H+H Bagels’ two store locations, including the famed Broadway and West 80th Street shop, were shut down on May 29 because of a tax issue. Earlier that morning, a red sign was placed on the front door of the Broadway branch to inform customers about the closure of the city’s most well known shop, where bagels cost $1.30 a piece. Read more
