Former NFL player Bill Romanowski and his wife, Julie, filed for bankruptcy on Monday, just ahead of a scheduled court hearing related to a civil case brought against them by the Department of Justice over alleged tax debts amounting to over $15.5 million.
Legal documents obtained by USA Today revealed that the couple was due to appear in court on Tuesday to address accusations of tax evasion dating back to 1998. However, their bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay under federal law, halting the Department of Justice’s efforts to collect the alleged debts.
According to US attorneys, the Romanowskis purportedly utilized their nutrition company, Nutrition53, as a financial vehicle to support their extravagant lifestyle while evading tax responsibilities. Court documents suggest that funds from Nutrition53 were used for personal expenses such as rent, groceries, veterinarian bills, and numerous visits to nail salons, hair salons, and day spas.
This legal entanglement is not Romanowski’s first brush with controversy. In 2003, he infamously ended his Raiders teammate Marcus Williams’ career by punching him, resulting in a settlement payout of $415,000 to Williams. Romanowski’s on-field conduct also included kicking Arizona Cardinals fullback Larry Centers in the head in 1995, spitting in the face of 49ers receiver J.J. Stokes, and breaking Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins’ jaw with a helmet-to-helmet hit during a preseason game.
Furthermore, Romanowski admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) during the latter stages of his football career. Despite the controversies, Romanowski achieved significant success in the NFL, earning two Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers and two more with the Denver Broncos before retiring as a member of the Oakland Raiders in 2003.