Business

Bingo hall director banned for six years

Bingo Vision operated a number of bingo halls across Co Antrim
Bingo Vision operated a number of bingo halls across Co Antrim Bingo Vision operated a number of bingo halls across Co Antrim

A PORTSTEWART man has been given a six-year boardroom ban for his conduct as director of a bingo hall.

Aldo Peter Morelli (56) of Meadowlands in the Co Derry town was director of Bingo Vision which fell into liquidation in 2014 owing £941,554 it couldn't pay.

The company operated a number of bingo halls Castle Street, Ballymoney; Fairhill Street, Ballycastle and Wakehurst Industrial Estate, Harryville, Ballymena.

The Department for the Economy said Mr Morelli had allowed the firm to hold on to £324,650 due in various taxes including £129,273 in respect of bingo duty and machine gaming duty for the tax years 2006/07 to 2013/14.

The firm also failed to file an annual returns and annual accounts for various years between 2003 and 2013.

Nor did Mr Morelli fully co-operate with the official receiver by failing to account for all expenses incurred by the company.

Disqualification proceedings are continuing against another director of the firm, the department said.