Watch CBS News

Olympia Entertainment Claims City Tax Roll Error

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - One day after it made headlines that companies owned by Mike Ilitch -- one of Detroit's most prominent citizens -- owed back taxes, the operator of Joe Louis and Cobo arenas is disputing it.

Olympia Entertainment said Thursday the $971,000 listed as  unpaid taxes "have been accrued to "the company "in what appears to be an error."

"Olympia Entertainment has not received any notices about the taxes in question... Olympia Entertainment is incorrectly listed as the property owner of record on the tax rolls, and our organization will be in touch with the Assessment Division within the City of Detroit's Finance Department to have the property owner of record corrected on the tax rolls," the statement read.

Olympia Entertainment is part of Mike Ilitch's stable of companies, which include Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers and the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings play in Joe Louis Arena, which is leased from the city.

Earlier Thursday, reports circulated that tax documents show Olympia Entertainment has been in arrears on the taxes since 2009.

The Michigan House on Thursday approved legislation to help Ilitch finance a $650 million multi-use development, which would include an events center where Red Wings games could be held.

The bill would allow tax dollars collected by Detroit's Downtown Development Authority to be used for the project. Supporters of the stadium bill claim it will create upward of 8,300 new construction jobs and pump $1 billion into Michigan's economy. The bill now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk for his signature.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.