SHORT TAKES : IRS Halts Sale of Paulsen Winery

The Internal Revenue Service has canceled the public sale of comedian Pat Paulsen’s troubled winery operation and property in northern Sonoma County.

The forced sale of Paulsen’s home, winery and the village of Asti, which he owns, had been set for Sept. 13. The IRS seized the property and put it up for sale to recover $277,000 in unpaid taxes owed by Paulsen and his first wife, Jane Paulsen.

But on Wednesday, IRS officials said the sale will not proceed because of legal challenges by the Paulsens’ bankruptcy attorney, David Replogle.

Replogle said the Paulsens’ property is protected from creditors under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Act. The Paulsens’ total debt is $2 million.

“The IRS is not above the law. They have to follow the same rules as everyone else,” Replogle said.