UPDATE: Back-Due Taxes For Brick Restaurant Now Paid

CLARIFICATION: Matthew Pellicano and Robert Councelor are not owners of The Riverwatch restaurant.

Pellicano said via telephone Monday afternoon that he and Councelor sold their interest in the restaurant to Carmine Esposito a year ago. The matter is in litigation, Pellicano said.

Additionally, Pellicano said, the back sales taxes were paid on Friday.

He could not comment further because of pending litigation.

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State officials have seized the liquor license of a Brick Township restaurant over what they say is a failure to pay state taxes, according to a report.

The Brick Times said The Riverwatch, at 799 Route 70, was shut down by Brick Township police in late May after the state Division of Taxation said the owners owe $57,000 in back taxes.

The restaurant, which opened in 1995 as the Pilot House, is currently owned by an LLC that lists Carmine Esposito, Robert Councelor and Matthew Pelicano as the registered owners. They have 30 days to pay the back taxes or the state will set up an auction for the liquor license, Chris Santarelli, deputy director of communications for the state Department of the Treasury, told the Brick Times.

The restaurant reportedly is up to date on its local taxes, according to the Brick Times.

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