Billy Eckstine Items Rescued From IRS Sale

LAS VEGAS —  An unidentified entertainer has bought the gold records and personal memorabilia of jazzman Billy Eckstine from the Internal Revenue Service, saving them from public auction.

The entertainer, who was not identified but is reportedly a longtime friend of Eckstine, bought the items from an auctioneer who had planned to sell them at public auction Nov. 12.

IRS officials confirmed the sale took place but declined to release further information.

Federal records show Eckstine, 76, owes the IRS more than $250,000 in back taxes. The IRS has filed a separate tax lien against Eckstine every year since 1978 and claims that he owes $251,034.

Raided by Agents

IRS agents raided Eckstine’s country club townhome in August and confiscated 110 items of personal property, including three gold records and dozens of musical instruments.

The agency planned to auction the memorabilia at a public sale.

According to IRS records, Eckstine began having tax trouble in 1977 when he failed to pay $27,725 in taxes. His indebtedness has climbed steadily each year since then.

Three gold records made by Eckstine were among the property, including the hits “Everything I Have Is Yours,” “My Foolish Heart” and “A Cottage for Sale.”