A SECOND company within the D'Aquino Group will be wound up, with the Federal Court ordering D'Aquino Bros be liquidated in addition to sister company Fernbrew.
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The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation requested to wind up the insolvent alcohol importer and manufacturer last Wednesday, which was not contested by the company.
KordaMentha's Scott Langdon and Rahul Goyal have been appointed to liquidate D'Aquino Bros.
Mr Goyal said the Australian Tax Office had pursued both D'Aquino Bros and fellow company Fernbrew over $87 million in unpaid tax.
Fernbrew, which KordaMentha is also liquidating, was responsible for wholesale alcohol distribution.
"You pay tax on alcohol when you need to sell it," Mr Goyal said.
But instead, he said the alcohol was transferred to Fernbrew without paying the tax, meaning Fernbrew was also liable for the debt.
"Under excise laws, whoever's holding onto the liquor needs to make sure the duty's paid," he said.
The D'Aquino Group employed up to 100 people at its peak and Fernbrew employed closer to 30 under contract, but redundancies began in January, Mr Goyal said.
Creditors voted to liquidate Fernbrew in May and the company was referred to the Australian Securities Investment Commission.
Mr Goyal said further investigations would occur into the companies' finances and D'Aquino Bros' assets would be sold to recover funds.
D'Aquino Liquor is under separate ownership and continues to trade, while Highland Heritage Estate's restaurant has been offered for lease.
D'Aquino Bros director Rex D'Aquino and the company's legal representative, Cheney Suthers Lawyers, were contacted for comment.
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