MANCHESTER, NH – Alderman Thomas Katsiantonis, 44, of Manchester, was arrested and charged with 4 counts of tax evasion, 2 counts of theft, 1 count of falsifying physical evidence and 1 count of unsworn falsification, according to the NH Attorney General’s office.
As alleged in the complaints, Mr. Katsiantonis owned and operated both Grand Slam Pizza and Tommy K’s Restaurant and Bar. The theft charges allege that Mr. Katsiantonis, as owner and operator of Grand Slam Pizza, stole over $277,000 in monthly meals and rentals tax payments from June 1, 2011 through December 31, 2016 and as owner and operator of Tommy K’s Restaurant and Bar, stole over $146,000 in such payments from May 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016.
Mr. Katsiantonis is also charged with crimes: related to his attempt to evade business profits taxes resulting in additional tax due; and owing committed during a recent Department of Revenue Administration audit of Grand Slam Pizza; and related to false statements made on Tommy K’s liquor license renewal application. The theft charges against Mr. Katsiantonis are class A felonies and are punishable by up to 7.5 to 15 years at the State Prison.
All other felony offenses charged against Mr. Katsiantonis constitute class B felonies punishable by up to 3.5 to 7 years and the class A misdemeanor offense of unsworn falsification carries up to a $2,000 fine and a year in jail. Mr. Katsiantonis’s arraignment is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. on June 15, 2017 at the 9th Circuit Court – District Division in Manchester.
Mayor Ted Gatsas issued the following statement around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday:
“Tommy has been a good partner on the Board of Aldermen and puts the needs of his ward before politics. However, these charges are serious and it’s in everybody’s best interest for him to resign his seat on the Board of Aldermen, and put his focus on addressing the charges against him,” Gatsas said.
Katsiantonis was elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2011 representing Ward 8 and began serving in 2012. He serves as chairman of both the Airport Activities, and the Public Safety, Health and Traffic committees.,
A democrat, he is serving his sixth term as a New Hampshire State Representative, and sits on the State-Federal Relations, and Veterans Affairs committees. When the investigation was announced in February, Manchester City Clerk Matt Normand said there is nothing in the city’s charter that would dictate whether an elected official would or should be suspended from their elected duties in such circumstances.
Alderman Pat Long said on Thursday that, after speaking to the city clerk, it appears that if Katsiantonis chooses to submit his resignation prior to the June 6 Board of Aldermen meeting, there is still enough time to get candidates on the ballot for the September Primary election to fill his seat.
“If it comes to that, whoever the top vote-getter in the primary will finish the term as alderman until the general election, Long said. “For the record, I just want to say that Tommy is a dedicated father and a good man, and my concern is for his family right now. I’m not going to say whether I think he should or shouldn’t resign – that’s up to him and whether he thinks he can continue to serve his constituents, but personally, I think he will resign.”
Ward 6 Alderman Nick Pappas resigned earlier this year after selling his home and moving out of the ward. If Katsiantonis resigns that will leave two vacancies on the board.
The Department of Revenue Administration and the Attorney General’s Office continue to investigate revenue suppression related to the State’s tax programs. If you have information related to revenue suppression or tax fraud, please visit the Department of Revenue Administration’s website, or send an e-mail to TaxFraudHotline@dra.nh.gov, or call the Tax Fraud Hotline at 603-230-5030.
