Councilman talks tough about diplomats

NEW YORK, July 7 (UPI) -- A New York City councilman is talking tough about dealing with deadbeat diplomats who are behind on property taxes.

Councilman Eric Gioia suggested Sunday the city should tow the cars of deadbeat diplomats and shut off their water and power until they pay, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

"Our city right now is having a hard time making ends meet," said Gioia, a Queens Democrat. "This city has to stick up for its rights and its citizens."

But city officials say the plan could be illegal and an unnecessary way of dealing with U.N. diplomats, noting that things have improved in recent years.

"We are working with all countries that still owe property taxes as well as with the State Department to collect outstanding parking ticket revenue," mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser said.

But diplomats from 175 nations still owe more than $18 million in outstanding parking fines while three countries -- India, Mongolia and the Philippines -- still owe more than $57 million in property taxes.