City freeloads

Trying to fill a gaping budget hole, Mayor Nutter yesterday announced plans to target tax delinquents more aggressively, posting a list of Philly's top business-tax deadbeats on the city Web site.

"If you enjoy all that this great city has to offer in terms of our services, but you are not paying your taxes in return, we will come after you," Nutter said. "Tax cheats in this city will not be tolerated."

The city released a list of businesses and individuals with court judgments of more than $50,000. In total, the group owes $27 million in unpaid business taxes. The city is hoping to recover $4 million annually, which will go to the city Law and Revenue departments.

Besides publicizing the names of deadbeats, Nutter said that the city will use the Sheriff's Department to seize assets from delinquents.

"There will be some people on this list that will see sheriff's deputies at their door," Nutter said.

Before releasing the list, the Law Department contacted the businesses and individuals to give them an opportunity to make payment arrangements.

The top offender listed is the Nelson Medical Group, along with officer Gregory Nelson. That business, which appears to be no longer in operation, owes $2.4 million.

Nelson spent a month in prison in 2005 for failing to pay federal income taxes.

The names on the deadbeat list include restaurateur Neil Stein - who owes $1.26 million - and Milton Street, brother of the former mayor - who owes $383,000.

Stein served 10 months in prison for failing to pay federal taxes. And Milton Street is serving 30 months in federal prison for tax evasion.

Nutter last week announced service cuts and layoffs to manage a $1 billion budget hole projected over the next five years. He also said that the city will pursue new revenue, including from tax scofflaws. *