MAFIA-THEMED RESTAURANT OWES STATE TAX. SO DOES BALISTRIERI'S SAVOY ROOM.

DEBT RELIEF LAW FIRM TOPS LIST OF 

IRONIC WISCONSIN TAX SCOFFLAWS

--- and other oddities.

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

And The Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team Revenue Collection Enforcement Unit

The Podell Ugent & Haney S. C. Law Firm advertises its expertise in "Debt Relief" for Wisconsin's "Hard-working families" on television and elsewhere. You couldn't find a more empathetic advocate, since it seems like P. U. & H. could use some debt relief itself.
The firm appears on the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue list of Delinquent Taxpayers where it is shown to owe $14,214.28 in unpaid withholding tax:

PODELL, UGENT & HANEY, S.C.

611 N BROADWAY STE 2 MILWAUKEE WI 53202-2500 USA

W

$14,214.28

It is unclear why the 2008 and 2009 debt remains unpaid when the firm settled its tax warrants from 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007, usually within three years.
The Podell firm might have a little problem airing the ads it needs to sustain its business. It is being sued by Ameritech Publishing, Inc., the folks who bring you the Yellow Pages, an anachronistic advertising medium that dates to the 19th century, was little changed in the 20th century and which is still around today. Old Yeller isn't going to make you money nowadays whether or not you pay their bill.

Looks like another lawyer -- well, former lawyer -- also has some DOR problems, as we can see from the case of Joseph Balistrieri, who is on the hook for much the better part of a "hundred grand," as folks in his racket like to call it:

BALISTRIERI, JOSEPH

1849 N PALMER ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212-2371 USA

W,S

$95,655.25

This sum may include a $47,633 state tax warrant from 2008. His Savoy Room restaurant, (nee Snug's) located in the Balistrieri-owned (and up for sale) Shorecrest Hotel, 1962 N. Prospect Ave. also left the State hanging for a good sum of money:

SAVOY GRILL CAFE ROOM LLC SAVOY ROOM

1830 N HUBBARD ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212-2379 USA

S,E

$54,797.1

This news is a shame, since the location was quite popular with certain government workers some years ago. It looks like Savoy also left a number of debts to contractors on the table -- along with food and place settings -- when it suddenly closed its doors earlier this year.

It's not just swanky East Side residential hotel restaurants that owe money to the state. Why, it even happens to restaurants that exploit Mafia connections in a way that would never occur to Mr. Balistrieri.

Just take a look at the experience of Capone's Grotto, now shuttered:

CAPONE'S GROTTO, LLC

1003 N OLD WORLD 3RD MILWAUKEE WI 53203-3130 USA

W,S,E

$21,850.27

Milwaukee Mile Marketing looks like it left the State with a big obligation incurred running a state-owned racetrack. (How was it possible to mess it up that badly?):

MILWAUKEE MILE MARKETING LLC

1869 N CAMBRIDGE AVE MILWAUKEE WI 53202-2176 USA

S,E

$346,518.69

Who knew they were even still around, not to mention still suing the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board?
Maybe if they had held their business meetings a block away at the Savoy Room everybody would still be in business and the State would have its money!