TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. - Here's one foe that not even the biggest, burliest biker can count on outmuscling: just call him the taxman.
A Quebec Hells Angels chapter -- already embroiled in criminal charges and legal proceedings that could span years -- is now also on the hook for back taxes on its hangout.
The organization was ordered by a municipal judge on Thursday to pay back $25,000 in taxes, plus interest, on its sprawling property in the Quebec town of Trois-Rivieres.
The bikers haven't used the facility since a police sweep in April 2009 that arrested most alleged members.
The provincial Justice Department seized the building following the arrests, but the organization still legally owns it.
Trois-Rivieres, located halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, took the group to court after a bailiff tried and failed to find the building owners.
The city took out a newspaper ad informing the organization about an impending court date, but neither an owner nor a lawyer materialized in court on Thursday.
A city spokesman said it doesn't expect to get any money as long as the government controls the property. But it wants to maintain its legal rights to the money once the seizure order is eventually lifted.
"It assures that we'll be able to recoup our taxes once the Quebec government releases the property," said spokesman Yvan Toutant.
The property and the building are valued at just over $350,000.
