A 2007 tax lien against another business for an estimated $49,000 remains on her credit, but already was paid, Rogers said.
However, a third debt that recently came to her attention involves a 2008 monetary dispute between Brooklyn Spa & Salon, a Forest Park business Rogers formerly owned, and Queen City Computer Press, which did work for the spa.
A failure-to-appear warrant was issued in 2011 because Liz Rogers neglected to show up in court for the judgment case, but Rogers said she doesn’t recall receiving any notice to appear in court for the judgment debtor hearing.
She said she found out about the unresolved issue and the outstanding failure-to-appear warrant only through media reports over the weekend and immediately contacted the Butler County Sheriff’s Office about arranging payment.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” she said. “Had I known I would have taken care of it earlier.”
She said turning herself in Tuesday at the Butler County Jail was a civil matter, not a criminal one.
Rogers’ release came as a result of her husband paying $3,104.22 at the Butler County Clerk of Courts office, according to Sgt. Monte Mayer, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
Rogers has been ordered to reappear in the Butler County Common Pleas Court on Friday.
The alleged obligation related to Brooklyn Spa, which has not been in operation since 2008, was not connected in any way with Mahogany’s or the collateral provided to Cincinnati by Mahogany’s, Rogers said.
She said she believes someone on Cincinnati City Council is leaking information, which is being “refurbished and recirculated as news.”
“Everything they’re reporting is public record and the city knew about it,” Rogers said.
All debt-related issues, including a case of identity fraud perpetrated against her, were disclosed along with all relevant credit information over the yearlong period during which she pursued the project with the city of Cincinnati, according to Rogers.
“My grant and loan package were vetted by the city administration and approved by the majority of council,” she said. “Despite the events of the past couple of weeks, I remain excited about the possibility of bringing new jobs to the city of Cincinnati as I have done in Hamilton.”
Last month, Cincinnati City Council voted 6-3 to approve a $684,000 grant for design and construction of the restaurant. It also voted 6-3 to loan $300,000 for the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment, and to establish a working capital fund for the restaurant.
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