New York City restaurant owner commits suicide due to tax debts

Lowell Hawthorne.
Photos: Facebook

Founder of the company Golden krust Lowell Hawthorne committed suicide because of fears that the federal services launched an investigation into tax evasion of millions of dollars.

One family member of the entrepreneur said that a few hours before the suicide of 57-year-old Hawthorne admitted to a large tax debt to one of the relatives and “behaved very strange,” writes The New York Post.

The recording from surveillance cameras shows that the tycoon shot himself in the head in his office at the factory Golden krust.

Before the suicide, he spoke with two workers, after leaving the office one of them called 911 and reported the armed man in an “unstable emotional state”. When the police arrived, Hawthorne was already lying on the floor of his office with a gunshot wound to the head and a gun in his hand.

Dozens of his relatives were involved in Hawthorne’s business. Before he died, the man left a note in which he apologized to his family.

Lowell Hawthorne was an example of creating a successful immigration history, he came to the US in 1981 from Jamaica, then he was 21 in the year. The man settled in the Bronx, where his brothers and sisters already lived.

For nearly a decade, Lowell worked as an accountant in the city police department. And then he got the idea to open a restaurant with Jamaican cuisine, which he believed would attract many of his compatriots living in New York.

Lowell took a loan against his relatives ’houses, collected thousands of dollars in 100, and opened the first in 1989 Golden krust in the Bronx, followed by other places. In 1996 year Golden krust became a franchise. As of 2017 year, more than 120 restaurants of this network operate in the USA. They employ 1600 workers, and annual sales reach 100 million dollars.

Hawthorne has a wife and four children: three sons and one daughter.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How will tax reform affect you if you earn less than 100 thousand per year

The US Tax System: Myths and Tips

How many taxes do Americans pay compared to other countries of the world?

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.