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Celebrity Tax Evasion > Reggie Bush Tax Evasion

Reggie Bush was born Reginald Alfred Bush II, on March 2, 1985 in San Diego, California. He attended University of Southern California in 2003 where he played running back for his college football team. He went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2005 for being the best player in his team. While at USC he gained 6,617 all purpose yards and was inducted into the college’s list of former Heisman honorees. The list included the likes of O.J. Simpson in 1968, Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004.

After the 2006 draft, where he was second even though many expected him to be number one Reggie was signed by the New Orleans Saints. He dropped out of college during his senior year and accepted a six year contract with the Saints. Compared to the other Heisman honorees, Reggie was impressive with the Saints. He went on to win the Super Bowl in 2010.

His sportsmanship took a bad turn when in 2006,Yahoo sports and several organizations raised concerns that Reggie and his family had accepted improper gifts from a California sports marketer while attending University of Southern California. His family apparently received cash gifts of up to $300,000. The Heisman Trophy guidelines indicate that for an athlete to be eligible, he must comply with all rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).Reggie violated these guidelines when he accepted the gifts.

The NCAA investigated the matter and after four years, they were ready to make a ruling. It was especially hard on University of Southern California. It was punished for its lack of institutional control. The penalties for USC included loss of 30 football scholarships for three years and it was also asked to forfeit all the 14 victories they had with Reggie Bush.

Apparently, one of the sports marketers, Lloyd Lake, sued Reggie to try and get back some of the $300,000.Bush was expected to appear at the deposition to give his version of events, but this never happened. The two parties chose to settle the case out of court.

In the midst of all this, Reggie Bush announced that he would forfeit his Heisman Trophy and returned it to USC. The trophy was however not awarded to anyone else, as is the case when such situations happen.
The ‘improper gift’ issue was set to bring further problems for Reggie Bush when the Internal Revenue Service slapped him with a tax lien in unpaid taxes in June 2011. The lien against him was in relation to the $ 300,000 that he and his family received as cash and gifts. The IRS is claiming a $150,000 penalty in back taxes. The case is yet to be closed with the IRS.

Despite all the controversy surrounding the cash and gifts, everyone still acknowledges Reggie Bush as the best player during the time he won the Heisman Trophy. His runs are what gave him a clear win against, Vincent Young, the athlete who was second. Maybe it was just a case of innocence and naivety.

Celebrity Tax Evasion > Reggie Bush Tax Evasion