Zane, bestselling erotica author, owes IRS $540k

Oct 7, 2014

Kristina Laferne Roberts, better known as the bestselling erotica author Zane, has recently filed for bankruptcy. The Maryland author of more than 30 books — including Addicted, which has a film adaptation set to be released on October 10 — was called the state’s “top individual tax cheat” by Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.

According to the filing, Roberts owes more than $540,000 in back taxes. The June bankruptcy filing indicates $1.4 million in assets, including two homes, against $3.4 million in liabilities, with $1.4 million of that sum owed to creditors alone. The IRS has been trying to collect back taxes from Roberts since 2003.

On a recent talk show appearance in promotion of the film, Roberts declined to comment on the ongoing proceedings. Calls to her attorney by various media outlets were also not returned.

The resident of Prince Georges County, writing under the name Zane since 1997, has reached the New York Times bestseller list 26 times, according to Daily Mail.