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(NNPA) - Grammy-winning singer Dionne Warwick and comedian Sinbad each owe at least $2 million in back taxes, according to California's newest list of famous offenders.
The airing out of celebs who have let their taxes slide is done annually in hopes of shaming and embarrassing the worst perpetrators into paying their debt.

Sinbad owes the state $2.14 million, according to the California Franchise Tax Board, while Warwick's debt totals $2.67 million. O.J. Simpson, currently facing 11 armed robbery and kidnapping charges, also made the list with a tax debt of $1.55 million.

The 250 top-listed names owe California more than $249 million combined, Denise Azimi, a spokeswoman for the collection agency, said Wednesday. The state legislator last year approved a Web site to include public shaming as a tool for tax collectors (http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/txdlnqnt.html).

''Each year, California loses more than $6.5 billion in unpaid taxes,'' said John Chiang, the state controller and chair of the Franchise Tax Board. ''Hopefully, this action will encourage these taxpayers to come forward, pay what they owe, and quickly help the Franchise Tax Board remove their names from the list.''

This story comes special to NNPA from the St. Louis American.