A-Town closes after not paying taxes

Published 12:04 am Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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A local pizzeria is padlocked after the owner failed to pay his taxes.

The Covington County Sheriff’s Office executed a judge’s order late Friday padlocking the doors to A-Town Pizza and Subs.

The eatery is located in rented space in the Covington Mall. On Monday, there was no sign of activity inside the building after court documents show owner Larry Baker violated the state’s sales tax and income withholding laws.

Records show that between Sept. 1, 2011, and Aug. 31, 2012, Baker failed to remit sales tax collections and employee withholding taxes. After Baker failed to show up at a scheduled court hearing in February, the court granted an injunction instructing the sheriff to seize and padlock the property.

“Based on evidence and testimony presented…(Baker) has failed to pay (the taxes) and has continued to engage in normal business practices,” the order stated.

The injunction will remain in place until the taxes are paid, court records stated.

Carla A. Snellgrove with the state DOR media affairs’ office, could not comment on the amount of back taxes owed, citing “taxpayer confidentiality.”