Sunday, February 01, 2015

IRS Filed Large Tax Liens Against Trucking Businesses Owned By Westfield's Mayor

Westfield Mayor Andy Cook is one of the highest paid mayors in the state of Indiana, earning $108,200 for the job of running the suburban Hamilton County community of a little over 33,000 people. Despite the six-figure salary he earns for the part-time mayor's job, his trucking business has struggled to keep up with its tax obligations.

According to publicly-accessible records, the IRS has filed multiple tax liens against Cook's trucking business for unpaid partnership, payroll, unemployment and heavy truck highway use taxes. Those tax liens add up to more than $620,000, covering unpaid taxes over a several year period between 2010 and 2013. The liens were filed against Tradewinds Logistics, LLC and Tradewinds Equipment, LLC of Arcadia, Inc. Tradewinds was founded by Cook and his son, Brian, in 1997.

Tradewinds website describes the company as a privately-owned, full service transportation company, specializing as a long haul, dry van truckload carrier. The website boasts that the company has grown to a fleet of over 150 tractors and over 240 trailers. Hamilton County court records indicate the company has been the frequent party in dozens of civil lawsuits over the past several years, both as a plaintiff and a defendant. Cook is seeking re-election this year. The Republican incumbent faces a primary challenge from Jeff Harpe.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holladay Properties is in a unique position to help Mayor Cook's trucking business with its big Ameriplex undertaking out by the airport. Is that why he gave the indoor soccer arena project to them?

Sir Hailstone said...

This Westfield resident is glad Andy Cook has an opponent in the primary and even without meeting Jeff Harpe he already has my vote

LamLawIndy said...

Question: do the feds ever actually foreclose on liens such as you've described? I imagine $625k is a huge chunk of Tradewinds' equipment.

Anonymous said...

Check this out. Drivers of Hoosier Tradewinds aren't happy? http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/specific_search/hoosier%20tradewinds

Anonymous said...

Tax liens, grand theft auto, insurance fraud, employee paychecks bouncing, the list goes on and on and on

Anonymous said...

Thus making you ignorant. Regardless of his business troubles Mr.Cook has been an outstanding mayor for all his years in the position. Westfield is ranked higher than any other city in the whole state and Mr.Cook's role is a huge factor in that success.

Anonymous said...

IRS can attach your business and personal assets. Labor board can stop the paycheck problem.

Rob Krakora said...

I am voting against him.

Anonymous said...

I am excited to see Westfield residents starting to pay attention to the actions of our elected officials. I think this next election will be an eye opener to our City Council and Mayor. Westfield isn't against change or advancement. We are against our elected officials changing things for their own personal advancement. VOTE! !!

Chappy said...

Success..pah! Siphoning money for his pet projects. Not caring about long term sustainbility. Minimum wage jobs and throwing us into debt is a huge factor in our downfall..

Maschen said...

It is time for a change. Cook has done nothing but double talk and spend!

Anonymous said...

Tradewinds also deducts child support and then doesn't send to support office. What are those mothers supposed to do. If they are such a Christian company then this would not happen. Instead of doing direct deposits that employees signed up for they do wire transfers that cost the employees money. All of this and break overtime laws too.