A Chingford restaurateur has been banned from business for seven years after submitting inaccurate tax returns.

Alessio Polito, of Chingford, ran Mamma Mia Cucina Limited in Station Road, Chingford.

The 39-year-old was one of two initial directors when the restaurant opened in 2012 and by December 2013, was the sole remaining director.

In January 2019, Mamma Mia Cucina entered into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation and the company was brought to the attention of the Insolvency Service following discrepancies in tax returns.

Investigators found for 5 years between April 2013 and April 2018, Alessio Polito under-declared Mamma Mia Cucina’s sales and failed to submit accurate tax returns to the value of just over £50,000 VAT.

On February 21, 2020, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Alessio Polito for 7 years.

Mr Polito is banned from acting as a director or directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Lawrence Zussman, deputy head of insolvent investigations for the Insolvency Service, said: "Alessio Polito clearly failed to take his responsibilities as a director seriously when he under-declared the restaurant’s level of sales.

"Directors have a duty to pay the correct level of taxes and thanks to his substantial ban, Alessio Polito has been removed from the business environment for a considerable amount of time."

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