Tax man takes big bite out of 'Mini-Me' actor
Public records show actor Verne Troyer owes $283,363: The Michigan native, who grew up about 35 miles south of Kalamazoo, is a movie star of two new flicks, one mainstream and one underground. "The Love Guru," which re-teams Troyer, 39, with "Austin Powers" star Mike Myers, opened June 20. Days ago, news leaked about a sex tape starring Troyer and a woman.
On Thursday, the 32-inch-tall Troyer, who rose to fame as "Mini-Me" in two Austin Powers movies, sued the Web site that published a portion of the tape. He doesn't want $100 billion, which Myers' alter-ego "Dr. Evil" might have asked for. He only wants $20 million, according to the lawsuit.
What's owed:
- The state of California filed a $26,812 lien against Troyer on April 25 for unpaid taxes. Troyer owes taxes from 2004-05, according to the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds office.
- The IRS filed a $256,551 lien against Troyer on March 26, 2007, for unpaid income taxes. He owes taxes from 2003-04, according to the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds office.
His side: Troyer could not be reached for comment. His former manager, Elena Fondacaro, said the tax issue is being addressed.
"Some of that is false information," she said. "It's taken care of --it's being handled --I should say. It's not as bad as it looks."
