Bar Owner Charged for Underreporting Sales and Failing to Pay Taxes

A second Broad Ripple bar owner has been charged with underreporting sales and failing to pay taxes, according to a federal investigation. Robert Sabatini, 68, is the owner of three bars in the area: Average Joes, Mineshaft Saloon, and Rock Lobster.

The Marion County prosecutor revealed that multiple agencies launched an inquiry into the business practices of Broad Ripple bars starting in July 2023. Investigators reviewed several years of business records, finding Sabatini underreported total taxable sales by $3,986,303 and failed to remit a total of $358,768 in taxes.

Sabatini faces 27 charges, including:

• 12 counts of failure to remit taxes held in trust
• 12 counts of failure to remit food and beverage taxes
• 3 counts of failure to keep records open for examination

This is the second Broad Ripple bar owner to be charged this month. On June 12, John Yaggi, owner of Connor's Pub, was charged with failing to keep basic financial records for several years and soliciting sexual favors from an employee in exchange for better-paying shifts.