With the federal government breathing down their necks, former NFL star Bill Romanowski and his wife, Julie, have taken a drastic step.
The couple filed for bankruptcy on Monday, a day before a scheduled hearing in the case the Department of Justice brought against them in June in which it alleges they owe $15.5 million in back taxes, according to USA Today.
Romanowski and his wife are accused of failing to pay millions in taxes as far back as before his NFL retirement in 2003, and later using money from the nutrition company they founded, Nutrition53, to pay for personal expenses for their family, according to the report.
The couple allegedly used money from Nutrition53 accounts to pay for things like rent, groceries, veterinarian bills and “over 170 visits to nail salons, hair salons and day spas,” the report said, citing court records.
Nutrition53 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August.
The bankruptcy filing automatically pauses the DOJ’s pursuit of the Romanowskis’ alleged debt.
Romanowski, the 58-year-old Connecticut native, has been involved in a number of controversies.
The four-time Super Bowl champion ended Raiders teammate Marcus Williams’ career in 2003 when he hit Williams during practice and broke his eye socket.
After Williams sued, he received $415,000 from Romanowski after the two reached a settlement.
Romanowski admitted in 2005 that he used steroids and HGH late in his career, saying he received them from BALCO founder Victor Conte.
A third-round pick by the 49ers in 1988, Romanowski won Super Bowls with San Francisco in his first two NFL seasons.
After six seasons with the Niners, Romanowski played two years with the Eagles and six with the Broncos, with whom he won two more championships, before playing two seasons with the Raiders to finish his career.