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GUYS GONE WILD & GIRLS GONE WILD FOUNDER ZAPPED WITH TAX LIEN
By: Keith Witchka, Staff Writer - 11-30-09 10:00 a.m. PDT
The Internal Revenue Service has filed a federal tax lien against 'Girls Gone Wild' and 'Guys Gone Wild' franchise owner Joe Francis, alleging that he now owes the U.S. government over $33 million in back taxes and penalties.
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The IRS document, obtained by TMZ.com, indicates that Francis failed to pay $17,658,358 for the 2001 tax year, $11,238,582.14 for 2002 and $4,922,147 for 2003.
The internationally recognized celebrity gossip web site also quotes Francis as saying that he has filed for personal bankruptcy, after the feds reportedly seized over $100 million in cash from Joe Francis's bank accounts.
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"I have no idea what it is,” he told TMZ, referring to the lien. "This is total retaliation for me beating them in court," he added, claiming that the law the IRS is using hasn't been used against anyone in 20 years. Earlier this month, Francis cut a deal with authorities to plead out on another tax evasion case, avoiding a jail sentence. The deal was brokered just before the trial was set to begin.
