THE Commonwealth government has filed a tax lien against the Torres Brothers law firm in federal court in the amount of $236,537.66 for taxes assessed and unpaid for tax years 2014 through 2019.
The notice of tax lien was filed by Richard Santos, manager of the collection and remittance branch of the Division of Revenue and Taxation in the District Court for the NMI and CNMI Superior Court.
Santos said notice is given that taxes — including interest and penalties — have been assessed against Torres Brothers LLC.
“Demand for payment of this liability has been made, but it remains unpaid. Therefore, there is a lien in favor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on all property and rights to property belonging to the taxpayer for the amount of these taxes and any additional penalties, interest, and costs that may accrue,” the notice added.
According to the notice, the law firm owes the CNMI government $9,928.36 in 2014; $73,938.43 in 2015; $66,948.87 in 2017; 82,248.74 in 2018; and $3,473.26 in 2019.
Former Gov. Ralph DLG Torre’s brothers — Vincent DLG Torres, Victorino DLG Torres and Joaquin DLG Torres — are partners in the law firm.
A separate lien was filed against Vincent Torres in January for over a million dollars in unpaid assessed taxes for tax years 2014 to 2020.
Asked for comment, attorney Vincent DLG Torres on Sunday said:
“We have previously made an offer to pay the entire principal, and the assistant attorney general informed us that they will respond to our proposal, but that never happened. We have a payment arrangement and we have been up to date with all payments. We do not have any problem with the filing of the lien, but that amount is not updated as we have been making payments. It’s interesting that only the Torres Brothers make it to social media when many other companies have done the exact same settlement but never made it.”
The United States Courthouse in Gualo Rai, Saipan.
