That was only the middle chapter in a tale that could make a movie -- a sad movie. Here's the outline:
1) Partners (Bob and Carl) own shopping center with a convenience store
2) Store goes bankrupt, owes back rent, partners take over store
3) Bob's wife runs store; profits evenly split
4) Carl (who is pretty weird but had the cash) decides that Bob is cheating him on store operation and sues.
5) Court appoints Trustee to operate shopping center and store while case is heard.
6) Case takes over one year and tens of thousands of dollars for accounting fees, etc. but in the end, it's proved that Bob did not cheat Carl.
7) Court awards Carl's share to Bob to cover those expenses.
8) Bob takes over operation from Trustee. Trustee moves to South America.
9) Bob discovers Trustee did not pay any payroll taxes, sales taxes or gasoline taxes during 14 months of operation; about $300,000 owed.
10) Court says there is nothing they can do because Trustee has absconded.
11) IRS and State tax agencies say, Pay Up! We'll review your case and refund you the interest and penalties if we discover it's not your fault.
12) Bob agrees to pay IRS in installments. Sales and Gas tax agencies agree to wait.
13) Carl files liens without Bpb's knowledge. Also files bogus complaints about dirty deli with Health Dept., illegal alcohol sales, contamination of underground fuel tanks and several others. At one point, Carl's accusations lead to alcohol agents confiscating all beer and wine from store and taking Bob to jail in handcuffs; released in 4 hours, and we had to rent a truck at our own expense to get beer and wine back.
14) Bob finishes paying IRS, but has taken no salary, and loses 32' Carver sport fisherman to repossession. Starts paying back sales tax.
15) Bob loses 2 story waterfront house because he can't afford mortgage while paying back taxes, moves into a rental.
16) Bob continues to battle bogus complaints, but that's getting easier as agencies are starting to recognize Carl's voice.
17) Bob finishes paying sales tax, opens negotiations for gasoline tax. It is now about 2 years since Bob regained store. Gas tax agency refuses to cooperate any further; wants entire amount immediately, with interest and penalties, about $180,000. Or, go to jail.
18) Bob decides to sell shopping center to pay taxes, get his life straightened out. Despite mortgage on property, he has enough equity to cover gas tax.
19) Sells property; title company discovers liens. Loses Buyer.
20) Starts to get liens removed. Finds and loses another buyer.
21) Gas tax agency orders sales of gasoline stopped at store. Income drops. Bob cannot pay mortgage on shopping center.
22) Continues to try to resolve liens and sell property.
23) Mortgage company (bank) orders foreclosure. Store closed. Locks changed. All furniture and equipment, including inventory, walkin cooler, etc., lost to either bank or gas tax folks.
24) Liens cleared up; too late. Carl dies.
25) Bob has no more income or assets; State arrests him, tries him for stealing gas tax money. Bob was well known in community; all normal judges recuse themselves. Assign a juvenile court judge to hear case.
26) Witnesses (including me) try to explain situation to judge, who reads other documents while ignoring us. Bob sentenced to two years in jail.
27) Bob, at age 64, is hauled off to State prison. Serves 8 months, becomes eligible for work release. I hire him for my business; he lives in work release center for 3 months, then is paroled.
28) Bob continues to work for me; my most trusted employee, while paying remuneration to state and reporting to parole officer.
29) Bob survives by-pass operation.
30) At age 66, Bob dies from rare lung disease possibly contracted in jail.
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(My property borders his on two sides)
