Tax Watchdog

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Posted by Robert Snell (The Detroit News) on Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Notorious slugger Darryl Strawberry strikes out again

Those World Series-winning 1986 New York Mets can't stay out of trouble. Last week, we broke the news about pitcher Ron Darling's tax woes and now one of the team's biggest stars has an even bigger tax debt. Notorious slugger and "Celebrity Apprentice" star Darryl Strawberry, who was indicted on tax charges in 1994, has fresh tax woes and owes more than $554,000, records show.

Strawberry, 47, has had a troubled career in and out of baseball. He's got company, though, when you consider former Mets stars Lenny Dykstra, Dwight Gooden and Jerry Koosman.

Strawberry, who earned more than $30.3 million during a career that ended in 1999, lives in Missouri with a new wife, new life and new purpose.

What's owed:

  • The state of California filed a $259,480 lien against Strawberry on April 13 in Sacramento County Court.
  • The IRS filed a $250,184 lien on Dec. 2, 2008, in Hillsborough County (Fla.) Circuit Court. According to the lien, which you can see here, Strawberry owes income taxes from 1989 and 1990. The lien was originally filed in November 2002 and totaled $472,086, but it appears Strawberry has paid off more than $221,000 since then.
  • The state of California filed a $44,359 lien on Jan. 25, 2008, in Sacramento County.

His side:

Strawberry could not be reached for comment and did not respond to a message left with his charitable foundation.

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Thu. 10/22/09 01:34 PM

Darryl and his Debt

I wish Darryl nothing but good luck in his new life, and hope's he's able to take care of these debt problems before they cause him any trouble. One of the key components of most recovery programs, is making amends so I don't see anyway that Strawberry will be dodging these creditors if he is truly leading a life of recovery these days.

Lenny Dykstra, Ron Darling, and now Darryl all having financial difficulties recently. I guess it's just all the bad karma that those 1986 Mets had saved up from cashing in on that ball going through Bill Buckner's legs.

Check out my blog on Darryl Strawberry's debt issues at.... http://www.thedebtgazette.com/2009/10/darryl-strawberry-debt/

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About this Weblog

Robert Snell of The Detroit News

Who owes taxes in Metro Detroit

Robert Snell is a Detroit News business reporter. He focuses on state and federal tax liens and, based on public records, interviews and Detroit News archives, identifies those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. He can be reached at rsnell@detnews.com or (313) 222-2028.

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Why we focus on unpaid taxes

Every year, about $345 billion in federal taxes are either late or unpaid, according to the IRS, ripping open holes in budgets and shortchanging schools and public safety. That forces taxpayers to cough up more than their fair share, tax experts say. About $2.5 billion went uncollected in Michigan between 2000 and 2006.

Liens are filed when taxpayers ignore government pleas for payment. Tax liens are like tar. They stick to everything - homes, cars and income. According to the IRS, liens give the government a legal claim to a person's or company's property. Liens serve as security or payment for the tax debt and a red flag to creditors.

There are a variety of reasons people don't pay. Some can't afford to and some refuse while others miscalculate or receive bad advice. Unpaid taxes can lead to prison - just ask actor Wesley Snipes.

This blog will focus on state and federal liens and identify those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. We will gather our information from public records, interviews and Detroit News archives.