Dino’s in Corbin ordered closed over unpaid state taxes

A Corbin restaurant has been closed by order of the state for failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes.

Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell posted the notice and changed the locks on Dino’s Italian Restaurant on Falls Hwy. at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

“He was friendly about it,” Harrell said of Dino’s owner, Dino Alxiou.

“There wasn’t any problem.”

According to paperwork filed in Franklin Circuit Court on July 20, 2015, The Arrow Group, LLC, owed sales and withholding taxes dating back to February 2013, totaling $86,283.15.

An agreed order entered in Franklin Circuit Court on Oct. 23, 2015, called for The Arrow Group, LLC to make an initial payment of $10,000 and payments of $1,150 per month until full payment had been made.

By July 20, 2016, document filed in Franklin Circuit Court indicated the amount owed had grown to $101,854.51.

Pamela Troutner, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Revenue, said as of October, the debt was $87,859.40.

“The agreed order was breached,” Troutner said when asked what led to the Revenue Cabinet seeking the injunction.

Troutner said because of taxpayer confidentiality laws.

However, Troutner said there are a range of remedies available that would permit the restaurant to be reopened beyond a lump sum payment of the balance..

“I can’t really specify,” Troutner said.

According to KRS 131.500, the Revenue Cabinet may levy wages, bank accounts or other property without a lawsuit or judgement.

A lien may be placed on the property.

According to the Whitley County Property Valuation Administrator’s office, Alixiou has owned the restaurant building since 2014.

Approximately noon Thursday, the orange sticker denoting the injunction has been removed from the front door of the restaurant

Harrell said the keys to the new locks are with his department and it remains closed.

Either Harrell or his deputies will unlock the doors upon receiving an order from Franklin Circuit Court.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said no injunction was issued against Dino’s in London.

According to Corbin Alcoholic Beverage Control officials, the liquor license for Dino’s remains active and in good standing.

However, with the restaurant closed, the license is considered dormant and after 90 days, it must be surrendered.

There are mitigating circumstances detailed in the law that may give a restaurant owner up to a year such as: Act of God, eminent domain, or similar circumstances.

“It is the state’s hands,” said Corbin ABC Administrator Clara Patterson when asked if there was anything that could be done locally permit Dino’s to keep the liquor license more than 90 days.