IRS slaps lien on O.J. Simpson's mansion

Agency says he owes $685,000 in taxes

May 14, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 a.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The IRS is prepared to seize O.J. Simpson's Brentwood estate and other property unless he pays them the $685,248.69 he owes in 1994 income taxes, interest and penalties.

The taxes came due last year in the midst of his trial for the 1994 murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. He was acquitted in October but still faces civil lawsuits by the families of the victims.

Simpson was in London Tuesday preparing to face a grilling from Oxford University debaters. He appeared on a British talk show Monday.

The Internal Revenue Service placed a lien on Simpson's cars and other property, including his estate in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles to guarantee payment, IRS spokeswoman Laurie Keleman said Monday. (220K AIFF or WAV sound)

"What we're doing is ensuring that the property is not sold so that we can get the money that is owed to us. We can seize the property," if Simpson fails to make good on the bill, she said.

As of Tuesday morning, there had been no public response from Simpson or his attorneys.

IRS sent warnings

Simpson must pay up or come up with an installment payment plan for the back taxes that came due on April 15, 1995. The IRS said Simpson was sent several notices that his tax payment was overdue before the lien was filed on May 7.

The pro football hall of famer emerged unscathed Monday after his 12-minute live interview on British television. Simpson skirted most of the tough questions, prompting some British newspapers to criticize talk show hosts Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley. The Daily Telegraph described their technique as "candyfloss questioning."

At one time, Simpson was estimated to be worth about $10 million, but that was before he incurred about $5 million in legal expenses. He faces additional costs for fighting the wrongful-death lawsuits. Plaintiffs in the case still are trying to determine the amount of his assets.

During his criminal trial, Simpson received $1 million for his book, "I Want to Tell You," in which he proclaimed his innocence, and another $200,000 for signing sports cards in his cell. He recently sold his New York condominium at a loss, and has been selling a video that he says tells his side of the story.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related story:

• Simpson on British TV: Media to blame for his ills - May 13, 1996

Related site:

• IRS - Internal Revenue Service

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