NEW YORK Arrigo and Giuseppe Cipriani, the father-and-son operators of the upscale Cipriani restaurants and catering operation, were sentenced Wednesday in a state court for tax evasion.
According to media reports, Giuseppe Cipriani, president and chief executive of Cipriani USA, was sentenced to three years probation while his father, the owner of Luxembourg-based parent Cipriani SA, received a conditional discharge.
In July, the two admitted to filing false tax returns for 2003 and 2004 and agreed to pay $10 million in back taxes and penalties. Their attorney, Stanley Arkin, said the Ciprianis already have paid $3 million of the fine.
The two, who also faced losing their liquor licenses by the State Liquor Authority, will be allowed to apply to have their licenses reinstated. Convicted felons are prohibited from holding liquor licenses.
The Ciprianis own several New York establishments, including the Rainbow Room, Harry Cipriani downtown and Cipriani Dolci at Grand Central Terminal. In addition, the family owns and operates the famed Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy.
