WILLIAMSBURG — A Williamsburg nightclub that was recently accused of sexual harassment and racism was seized Wednesday by the state for owing $360,378 in unpaid sales taxes, authorities said.
Verboten has three open warrants for unpaid sales tax that it got between February and November of 2015, said James Gazzale, a spokesman for the state's Department of Taxation and Finance.
"Seizing the business is always a last resort," Gazzale said. "We're in constant communication with them looking....to return the keys as soon as possible."
Workers at Verboten didn't return a request for comment.
The seizure of the 700 person club at 54 N 11th St. was first reported by Resident Advisor which cited a tweet.
Verboten done for real. Signs on the property pic.twitter.com/faLYcooCs9
— Dance Bitch LLC (@DanceBitchBK) March 31, 2016
Earlier this month, the Daily News reported that nightclub owner Jen Schiffer was being sued in federal court by 16 former and current employees for alleged sexual harassment and racist practices.
She allegedly encouraged workers to have threesomes, boasted about sleeping with customers and was angered when too many black patrons showed up at the club, the News reported.
Verboten first opened up near the Williamsburg waterfront in 2013, billed as a haven for a "discerning crowd of music fans, Europeans, hipsters, freaks, party girls and industry types," according to its Facebook page.
