NAMES IN THE NEWS : Comedian Tries to Out-Foxx IRS

LAS VEGAS — Debt-plagued comedian Redd Foxx is trying to keep the Internal Revenue Service from sharing in proceeds from the sale of a Hollywood office building that he owned.

Foxx’s lawyers are challenging IRS efforts to get a piece of the $1.6 million raised in the sale, saying the agency failed to document back taxes it has received from Foxx.

Beverly Hills attorney Paul Whitford said Wednesday he will demand a full accounting by the IRS at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The IRS seized Foxx’s Las Vegas home, jewelry, cars and other belongings in November, saying he still owed $750,000 in back taxes, and scheduled an auction of the property Jan. 27. The tax bill, with penalties and interest, is now estimated to be about $900,000.

Foxx, 67, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1983.