so really...best cheese steak in Philly is????

cutz

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/tony-lukes-founder-and-son-dodged-taxes-for-a-decade-feds-allege/2478840/

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Tony Luke's Founder and Son Dodged Taxes for a Decade, Feds Allege

The U.S. Attorney in Philly said the owners kept some employees wages on the books and paid the rest in cash off the books.

By Joe Brandt • Published July 24, 2020

The founder of venerable South Philadelphia cheesesteak spot Tony Luke's and his son were federally indicted this week on tax fraud charges, with prosecutors saying they hid about $8 million from the IRS over a period of at least 10 years.

Anthony Lucidonio Sr. ("Tony Luke Sr.") and Nicholas Lucidonio are charged with conspiracy and aiding/assisting false employment tax returns, according to the indictment in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.

The 23-count indictment alleges that the business had two separate sets of records detailing the businesses' sales at their popular shop at Front Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia. One record was missing a portion of cash receipts from the cheesesteak shops, keeping that pool of money away from income taxes.

Tony Luke's Founder, Son Accused of Dodging Taxes

The founder of iconic South Philly cheesesteak spot Tony Luke's and his son have been federally indicted on tax fraud charges, with prosecutors saying they hid about $8 million from the IRS over a period a decade.

Federal prosecutors say the Lucidonios gave the incomplete records to an accountant who filed their tax returns, and kept the complete records elsewhere. The practice continued from 2006 until 2016, the document says.

But in 2015, they became worried that a franchising dispute with someone identified only as "Individual A" would lead to the tax scheme becoming public knowledge. So they asked an accountant to amend their corporate tax returns for 2013 and 2014, reporting the full sales. But on those amended returns, the Lucidonios added false expenses to receive fraudulent write-offs, the indictment says.

In a statement, defense attorneys for the pair say they dispute the charges and look forward to defending themselves in court.

"Tony and Nicky have fully cooperated with the government’s investigation since its outset," says the statement from Ian M. Comisky and Walter Weir Jr.

"The Original Tony Luke’s will continue to serve its faithful clientele and provide gainful employment to its employees and their families."

Payroll

The father and son were also accused of payroll tax fraud. Several employees were given a paycheck that was taxed, but did not represent their full wage. The rest of the wage was paid off the books in cash.

The Lucidonios in the indictment only own the Tony Luke's South Philly location. Anthony Lucidonio Jr. (also known as Tony Luke Jr.) owns the franchise company that has locations at the Philadelphia International Airport, King of Prussia and elsewhere.

“Tony Luke’s is an iconic Philadelphia brand, but that is not what matters in the eyes of the law," U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a news release. "These are serious allegations and it should go without saying that everyone has an obligation to follow the law. This alleged scheme victimized honest taxpayers in two ways: first, by hiding more than $8 million in revenue from the IRS and second, by avoiding payroll taxes.”

“And when the defendants thought their scheme might be discovered, they allegedly cooked the books even further to cover their tracks,” he added.

F Me In The Brain

Good shares on the food, thanks!

eeriepadave

I haven't had a philly chesesteak in awhile now :sad:

RiotZact

Girlfriend got a lobster cheesesteak from Chickie and Pete’s today. 

RiotZact

Tried “The Heater” from Campo’s today. Steak, jalapeños, hot sauce, and jalapeño cheddar. Really tasty and way better than I remember their regular cheesesteak being. My girlfriend loves the Flyers one that comes with cream cheese and tomatoes so now I know what I’ll be getting when she’s craving that from now on. 

Jearlpam0925

Nice. I like The Heater. Always just tasted like a cheesesteak with hot sauce, not to denigrate it though.

Go Sonny's next time over Campo's.

RiotZact

Jearlpam0925 said:

Nice. I like The Heater. Always just tasted like a cheesesteak with hot sauce, not to denigrate it though.

Go Sonny's next time over Campo's.

Oh yeah for sure Sonny’s is better. 

Gern Blansten

cutz said:

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/tony-lukes-founder-and-son-dodged-taxes-for-a-decade-feds-allege/2478840/

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Tony Luke's Founder and Son Dodged Taxes for a Decade, Feds Allege

The U.S. Attorney in Philly said the owners kept some employees wages on the books and paid the rest in cash off the books.

By Joe Brandt • Published July 24, 2020

The founder of venerable South Philadelphia cheesesteak spot Tony Luke's and his son were federally indicted this week on tax fraud charges, with prosecutors saying they hid about $8 million from the IRS over a period of at least 10 years.

Anthony Lucidonio Sr. ("Tony Luke Sr.") and Nicholas Lucidonio are charged with conspiracy and aiding/assisting false employment tax returns, according to the indictment in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.

The 23-count indictment alleges that the business had two separate sets of records detailing the businesses' sales at their popular shop at Front Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia. One record was missing a portion of cash receipts from the cheesesteak shops, keeping that pool of money away from income taxes.

Tony Luke's Founder, Son Accused of Dodging Taxes

The founder of iconic South Philly cheesesteak spot Tony Luke's and his son have been federally indicted on tax fraud charges, with prosecutors saying they hid about $8 million from the IRS over a period a decade.

Federal prosecutors say the Lucidonios gave the incomplete records to an accountant who filed their tax returns, and kept the complete records elsewhere. The practice continued from 2006 until 2016, the document says.

But in 2015, they became worried that a franchising dispute with someone identified only as "Individual A" would lead to the tax scheme becoming public knowledge. So they asked an accountant to amend their corporate tax returns for 2013 and 2014, reporting the full sales. But on those amended returns, the Lucidonios added false expenses to receive fraudulent write-offs, the indictment says.

In a statement, defense attorneys for the pair say they dispute the charges and look forward to defending themselves in court.

"Tony and Nicky have fully cooperated with the government’s investigation since its outset," says the statement from Ian M. Comisky and Walter Weir Jr.

"The Original Tony Luke’s will continue to serve its faithful clientele and provide gainful employment to its employees and their families."

Payroll

The father and son were also accused of payroll tax fraud. Several employees were given a paycheck that was taxed, but did not represent their full wage. The rest of the wage was paid off the books in cash.

The Lucidonios in the indictment only own the Tony Luke's South Philly location. Anthony Lucidonio Jr. (also known as Tony Luke Jr.) owns the franchise company that has locations at the Philadelphia International Airport, King of Prussia and elsewhere.

“Tony Luke’s is an iconic Philadelphia brand, but that is not what matters in the eyes of the law," U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a news release. "These are serious allegations and it should go without saying that everyone has an obligation to follow the law. This alleged scheme victimized honest taxpayers in two ways: first, by hiding more than $8 million in revenue from the IRS and second, by avoiding payroll taxes.”

“And when the defendants thought their scheme might be discovered, they allegedly cooked the books even further to cover their tracks,” he added.

Crazy....this happens a lot though.  Cash businesses will under report income and then when they want to sell the business it isn't valued as high because actual sales are understated.

Wobbie

moochie’s....salt lake city....”straight outta philly”....but without the attitude.

Jearlpam0925

What am I...what am I looking at?

Cliffy6745

Hahahahaha 

The Juggler

Despite Wob consistently posting absolutely disgusting looking sandwiches from this place, I did see Moochies on a DDD episode recently and it looks relatively legit, or about as legit as a Utah cheesesteak place can look. 

F Me In The Brain

Haha.  That picture is indeed fucked up, Wobbie.  I am happy to believe it is a great sammy spot but the composition in the latest one made me laugh out loud 

mcgruff10

Only Two onion rings came with the order?!

dankind

Did one of Rob’s dogs barf up half a sandwich and a couple of intact onion rings?

cutz

Man, I saw that last night when Wobbie Posted that and I said to myself: "What the hell is that!"

I'm not surprised to see us locals not like the looks of that so-called cheesesteak.

RiotZact

Yikes. Let’s clean this thread up a bit. Today I had the all-time, undisputed, undefeated GOAT. 

mcgruff10

What spot? @RiotZact

F Me In The Brain

Delassandros?

mcgruff10

F Me In The Brain said:

Delassandros?

I m thinking Jersey Mike’s.