Brooklyn Club Verboten has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to keep its doors open and keep the party going on a nightly basis.
Last Wednesday the Williamsburg was suddenly seized by the New York State tax authorities for reportedly not paying up to $360,000 in tax debts. According to THUMP, club owners Jen Schiffer and John Perez filed for chapter 11 on Thursday night, which allows them to keep the club open for business while legal proceedings make their way through the court system. It will also allow them to restructure debts, which have mounted to a level that shut the business down for a day.
"Chapter 11 allows us to protect and consolidate our assets so we can operate this club with good partners, have successful events, bring in patrons, and move forward without being tortured, harassed and bled dry by a small number of our investors," Schiffer told THUMP. "We have every intention to keep working with the state."
Verboten released a statement about the state of the club over the weekend.
"Bankruptcy protection requires us to meet our contracted obligations but the court will also be looking into all contracts and holding promoters, agents and DJs to their contracts and obligations as well," wrote the club. See the full statement below.
Please see our official statement below regarding recent events at the club. pic.twitter.com/2qknkwvQjX
— Verboten New York (@VerbotenNewYork) April 2, 2016
As for the future of the club, there is still a dark cloud that hangs over the establishment. It is still being sued by 16 current and former employees for sexual harassment, while also accusing the club owners of racism. Former investors and partners are also suing it for fraud.
All programming going forward is scheduled, and we've confirmed shows well into the future," said Shiffer to THUMP. We will see if they can withstand these bankruptcy negotiations.
