The new owner of the Southern Park Mall is delinquent on its first half county taxes.

According to the Mahoning Auditor website, Kohan Retail Investment Group purchased the mall from Washington Prime Group in late December, and owes $437,837.11 for the first half taxes, which were due on March 7. 

Mahoning County Auditor Ralph Meacham said the company has incurred a 10 percent penalty—$43,783.71—and is also incurring interest on the late taxes.

Meacham told 21 News that he hoped the matter would be resolved and said it was unusual for a business of this size to be delinquent.

The auditor confirmed the delinquency to 21 News and said that, on average, approximately 17 percent of homes and businesses in the county are delinquent.

The auditor stated that unpaid taxes can lead to the foreclosure of the property. However, it is a slow process that includes his office taking a delinquent tax certificate to the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office. From the Prosecutor's Office, the foreclosure proceeding would go to the county treasurer to foreclose the lien of the state with a court within the jurisdiction, unless the taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest are paid before the time a complaint is filed.

21 News was the news organization that reported on the sale of the mall in October and some of the concerns with the Kohan Group regarding other properties it owns, and the tax incentives that were transferred to the new owner. 

The Mahoning County Auditor's site shows that Kohan Retail Investment Group of Great Neck, New York, created Southern Park Mall Realty Holding in September.

21 News has contacted Kohan Group but has not heard back as of the publication of this story.