Dominick’s Finer Foods has found itself in a lawsuit brought by Chicago-based grocery chain Roundy’s for allegedly failing to pay more than $563,000 in property taxes.
In the complaint filed to a federal court, Roundy’s claims that Dominick's failed to pay property taxes for three of its Chicago-area locations.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Dominick's paid Roundy's the amount owed on just one of the stores, with Ann Maher, an attorney representing Roundy's, telling the publication Friday that the chain still owes on its other properties.
The filing alleges that Dominick's was the party responsible for paying property taxes on the three properties because they were accrued as part of a purchase agreement with Roundy’s for in late 2013. "Despite repeated demands, Dominick's has failed and refused to pay," the complaint stated.
"This is simply an issue related to post-closing proration of property taxes on two stores,” Brian Dowling, a spokesman for Albertsons, said in response to the filing. “We have been working to resolve the matter and will continue to do so.” Dominick’s was acquired by Albertsons during its recent merger with Safeway, the original parent company of Dominick’s.
As we recently reported, Roundy’s and its urban format chain, Mariano's, was acquired by Kroger. 11 of Mariano’s 34 stores are former Dominick’s, The Chicago Tribune says.
DeliMarket News will continue to report on this story as more details are revealed.
