Four-time Super Bowl champ Bill Romanowski and his wife, Julie, filed for bankruptcy Monday, less than 24 hours before they were scheduled to attend a hearing in the civil case that the Department of Justice brought against them last year.
According to legal documents obtained by USA Today, the couple were set to appear in court Tuesday to face allegations that they owe more than $15.5million in back taxes.
However, under federal law, their bankruptcy filing will trigger an automatic pause in the Department of Justice’s efforts to collect on the alleged money they owe.
US attorneys claim the pair used their nutrition company as a personal piggybank to fund their lavish lifestyle, and avoid tax obligations dating back to 1998.
In an attempt to avoid reporting their federal income, Bill and Julie allegedly founded Nutrition53 to pay for rent, groceries, veterinarian bills and ‘over 170 visits to nail salons, hair salons and day spas,’ per court docs.
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Former NFL star Bill Romanowski filed for bankruptcy amid allegations he owes federal taxes
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He and his wife Julie reportedly owe more than $15.5million in taxes dating back to 1998
This isn’t the former NFL player’s first controversy.
In 2003, he ended his Raiders teammate Marcus Williams’ career when he punched him in the face, crushing his eye socket. Williams sued Bill, receiving a settlement of $415,000.
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He also kicked Arizona Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in the head in 1995, resulting in an ejection and fine.
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They were slated to appear in court Tuesday before their bankruptcy filing halted proceedings
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The couple allegedly founded Nutrition53 to avoid reporting their federal income
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Bill won four Super Bowls throughout his 15-year career, which was marred by controversy
Two years later, he spat in the face of 49ers receiver J.J. Stokes and broke Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins’ jaw on a helmet-to-helmet hit in a preseason game.
After retiring in 2003, Bill admitted to using steroids and HGH in the latter years of his career.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and another pair with the Denver Broncos before retiring as a member of the Oakland Raiders.
