Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski and his wife, Julie, have filed for bankruptcy — and they allegedly owe the United States government more than $15.5 million in unpaid taxes. The Department of Justice sued the couple during the summer of 2023, alleging that failed to pay taxes for years. They also allegedly used funds from the company they started to pay for personal expenses, reported USA Today.
There was a hearing scheduled for the day after Bill, 58, and his wife filed for bankruptcy.
Because they filed for bankruptcy, the Department of Justice’s efforts to get the money that the couple allegedly owes will be put on pause under federal law, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Bill's tax issues allegedly started in 1998, when he was still playing for the Denver Broncos. “Despite timely notice and demand for payment, the Romanowskis have neglected, refused or failed to pay the assessments against them,” the lawsuit against them read, per Sports Illustrated.
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The document also claimed that Bill and Julie used funds from their business, Nutrition53, to cover personal expenses, such as groceries, rent and "over 170 visits to nail salons, hair salons and day spas," reported USA Today.
The lawsuit also named the couple's company as a defendant. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023, reported USA Today.
Bill's NFL career lasted for 16 years. He played for the 49ers, Eagles, Broncos, and Raiders.
He won four Super Bowl rings — but the unpaid tax lawsuit is not his first controversy. In 1997, he spat in San Francisco wide receiver J.J. Stokes' face. He later apologized, saying, "What I did was totally inexcusable." He added that it wouldn't happen again, reported South Coast Today.
However, several years later, he punched a teammate. In 2005, he settled a lawsuit with teammate Marcus Williams, whom he punched in the face during practice. When Bill punched Marcus, he left Marcus with a broken eye socket. Marcus said the incident impacted his vision, balance, and mental health, reported SFGate.
Bill also admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.
It was in 2005 that he disclosed that he had used steroids and human growth hormone during his NFL career, according to the New York Post.
