Sophia Loren, tax patriot

They tried with Leona Helmsley, Willie Nelson, and Spiro Agnew, and found little or no resistance. These and other famous Americans have fallen like bowling pins to the publicity-seeking tax vampires through the years. But this was of course in the Benighted States where a cowed citizenry has long been programmed to regard "death and taxes" as their dismal true birthright.

The tax goons tried to make an example of superstar actress Sophia Loren in Italy -- and she didn't take it lying down. But this was in Italy -- and by whatever divinely inspired route, Loren didn't just roll over for them. Are you ready for this? Our dear and recently departed compatriot Henry Link fought off the IRS for over 20 years, but it looks like the screen goddess may have him beat:

http://www.france24.com/en/20131024-actress-sophia-loren-ends-39-year-tax-feud
Actress Sophia Loren ends 39-year tax feud

La Loren "famously spent 17 days in prison in 1982 in a separate tax dispute," it says among other pithy things, "an incident that drew crowds to the jail near Naples." I'm afraid I can't agree that she's that fabulously beautiful or talented, or ever was.... but let me tell you pardner, she's just become one of this longtime film connoisseurs's favorite actresses!

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