HELENA, Mont. -- Evel Knievel, who made millions as a motorcycle stuntman in the 1970s, denies published reports that he owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid income taxes.
"I don't owe the state of Montana one dime," Knievel told The Associated Press Friday in a telephone interview from Sturgis, S.D.
News reports that Knievel still has large tax debts in the state appeared just days after the city of Butte, Knievel's hometown, wrapped up a weeklong tribute to him.
District Court records in Butte indicate Knievel owes as much as $800,000 in back taxes. The Department of Revenue confirmed it has records indicating it filed two liens against Knievel totaling $395,000. It was not immediately clear, however, when those liens were filed.
Normally, if a taxpayer satisfies a lien filed against him either by paying the full amount or reaching a settlement with the government a record of that would be filed in court, releasing the lien. However, there was no immediate indication of such a record in District Court.
Knievel is adamant, however, that while he once owed back taxes in Montana, all those debts are paid.
"I paid everything I owed," he said. "I had to sell my house to do it, but I did it."
District Court records in Butte also indicate Knievel still owes as much as $5.3 million in federal taxes.
However, Knievel and his longtime attorney, Wade Dahood, said they reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service more than a year ago under which Knievel is obligated to pay only a fraction of that.
They declined to reveal details of the settlement, but Knievel said he is current on payments and now owes the IRS just $15,000.
A spokeswoman for the IRS said the agency does not comment on such matters. (As reported by the Associated Press)
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