Happy's Pizza founder, others face tax charges

DETROIT (AP) -- The founder of Happy's Pizza, a company executive and a franchise shareholder have been indicted in a scheme that involved the false reporting of income and payroll taxes. The Justice Department says a grand jury in Detroit on Tuesday indicted Happy Asker, Maher Bashi and Tom Yaldo on conspiracy and multiple tax offenses. The indictment alleges that between 2004 and 2011 business receipts were diverted, wages were underreported and income and expenses were understated at a number of Happy's Pizza franchises in the Detroit area and Ohio. Two others, Arkan Summa and Tagrid Bashi, are charged with obstructing the administration of IRS laws. A spokesman at Happy's Pizza corporate office in Farmington Hills said Asker was unavailable for comment Tuesday and that the company is cooperating with federal investigators. Published: Thu, Jul 18, 2013