- Bill and Julie Romanowski submitted their request 24 hours before their court appearance.
- The Justice Department says they owe more than $15.5 million in back taxes
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Four-time Super Bowl champion Bill Romanowski and his wife, Julie, filed for bankruptcy on Monday, less than 24 hours before they were scheduled to attend a hearing in the civil case the Justice Department filed against them last year.
According to legal documents obtained by USA Today, The couple was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to face accusations that they owe more than $15.5 million in back taxes.
However, under federal law, their bankruptcy filing will cause an automatic pause in the Justice Department’s efforts to collect the alleged money they owe.
US lawyers claim the couple used their nutrition company as a personal piggy bank to finance their lavish lifestyle and avoid tax liabilities dating back to 1998.
In an attempt to avoid reporting their federal income, Bill and Julie allegedly founded Nutrition53 to pay for rent, food, vet bills and “more than 170 visits to nail salons, barbershops and spas,” according to court documents.
Former NFL star Bill Romanowski filed for bankruptcy amid allegations he owes federal taxes
He and his wife Julie reportedly owe more than $15.5 million in taxes dating back to 1998.
This is not the former NFL player’s first controversy.
In 2003, he ended the career of his Raiders teammate Marcus Williams when he punched him in the face, crushing his eye socket. Williams sued Bill and received a $415,000 settlement.
He also kicked Arizona Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in the head in 1995, resulting in an ejection and a fine.
They were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday before their bankruptcy filing halted proceedings.
The couple allegedly founded Nutrition53 to avoid reporting their federal income
Bill won four Super Bowls over the course of his 15-year career, which was marred by controversy.
Two years later, he spit in the face of 49ers receiver JJ Stokes and broke Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins’ jaw with a helmet-to-helmet hit in a preseason game.
After retiring in 2003, Bill admitted to using steroids and HGH in the later 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.