Circle Line took the city for a ride by ducking nearly $423,000 in back taxes and franchise fees, according to Comptroller Bill Thompson.
Thompson’s auditors said the tour-boat company collected fees of $1,408,601 between 2004 and 2007 that it didn’t report when it held the franchise to shuttle visitors to the Statue of Liberty.
The auditors suggested Circle Line fork over $422,716, including penalties, interest and fees.
But the company – which lost its three-decade Statue of Liberty franchise in January – accused the comptroller of misreading its deal.