Critics Accuse La Marina of Cheating City, Want Comptroller to Audit Business

INWOOD, NY — Two critics believe that La Marina is cooking its books to avoid paying a share of its revenue back to the city. The theorists cite a three-year drop in revenues from the swanky Inwood establishment which has attracted celebrities such as Jay Z and Beyoncé.

Geoffrey Croft, president of the NYC Park Advocates and Nancy Preston of Moving Forward Unido are calling on New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer to conduct an independent audit on La Marina, the New York Post reported. The business shares a cut of its yearly revenues with the city as per a 15-year agreement with the city's Parks Department, but is reporting a 30 percent decrease in receipts over three years, the Post reported.

“We don’t know if the city is getting its fair share — and we suspect not,’’ Croft told the Post.

But city agencies aren't convinced that La Marina is cheating them. In fact, the Parks Department already regularly audits its vendors, including businesses such as La Marina, and have not found any irregularities, the Post reported.

A La Marina spokeswoman also had valid reasons for the drop in revenue. Increased competition and an effort to scale back large events due to community pressure is hurting La Marina's income, Rachel Van Dolsen told the Post.

La Marina revenue peaked at $8 million during the fiscal year 2012-2013, but dropped to $6.6 million in 2014-15 and then to $5.8 million in 2015-2016, according to records obtained by the Post.

>>> Read the Full New York Post article here.

Photo: Google Maps street view