Entertainment Sports 4-Time Super Bowl Champ Files for Bankruptcy as Government Sues Him for Alleged $15.5 Million in Unpaid Taxes The DOJ alleges that for several years Romanowski, 58, along with his wife Julie, used their company Nutrition53 to avoid paying taxes By Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE, covering stories in Human Interest and Sports. She joins PEOPLE with over 15 years of experience as a journalist with an expertise in areas including Pop Culture, Politics, Hard News, Fashion, Beauty and Crime. Before joining PEOPLE she was a writer and digital editor at notable media outlets, including ABC News, The Shade Room, Madame Noire, Hello Beautiful and Brit + Co. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 2, 2024 02:12PM EDT Bill Romanowski. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Bill Romanowski, the former NFL linebacker and four-time Super Bowl champion, recently filed for bankruptcy due to a multi-million unpaid tax bill that prompted a lawsuit from the federal government. U.S. attorneys for the Department of Justice allege that for several years Romanowski, 58, along with his wife Julie, used their company Nutrition53 to avoid paying taxes. The couple allegedly now owe $15.5 million in back taxes, leading the couple to file a last-minute bankruptcy petition on April 29, just 24 hours before a scheduled hearing was to take place, according to USA Today. The Department of Justice tax investigation goes back decades to before and after Romanowski’s retirement in 2003, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. The DOJ alleges that in an effort to avoid paying taxes, the couple used funds from Nutrition53 to pay for personal expenses for themselves and their children — including rent for their California home, groceries, veterinarian expenses and "over 170 visits to nail salons, hair salons and day spas," USA Today reports. PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Romanowski for comment. Beyoncé Files IRS Petition in Response to US Government Claiming She Owes $2.69 Million in Taxes Bill Romanowski. AP Photo/Jack Dempsey Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Following their bankruptcy filing, a hearing asking a federal judge to rule in favor of the DOJ and seek a default judgment against the couple was set for May 1. Shakira Pays Nearly $25 Million in Back Taxes to Spanish Government: Report During his 16 seasons in the NFL, Romanowski played for a collection of teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. After his retirement in 2003, Romanowski admitted to using steroids throughout his career. He then transitioned to sports commentary and outside business ventures including Nutrition53, which also filed for bankruptcy in 2023.