De Niro’s Tax Battle Ends With a Whimper

A few weeks ago we told you about Robert De Niro’s tax appeal on his estate overlooking the Hudson River in the tiny town of Gardiner, New York.  Despite this writer’s belief that Mr. De Niro has every right to the appeal the actor not only dropped it, but will reimburse the town for its legal fees in the matter.

It appears that the actor took the advice of his character Vito Corleone in The Godfather:  Part II, when trying to persuade a stubborn landlord to allow a widow to remain in her apartment:  “Ask your friends in the neighborhood about me.”  It seems De Niro asked around Gardiner and realized that he was not very popular these days because of the appeal, so he pulled the plug.

In the movie Goodfellas De Niro’s character, Jimmy Conway, told the character Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta): “Don’t be immoral with the money, do what’s right, you understand?”

Pursuing the tax appeal was far from immoral, but I guess De Niro wanted to do what he thought was right.

Another fine performance by Mr. De Niro.

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De Niro’s Hudson Valley neighbors feel his presence mostly in court.