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Mel B has squandered her entire Spice Girls fortune after leading an ‘extravagant and affluent’ lifestyle, a court yesterday.
The former pop star made her first appearance in court at the ongoing bitter divorce battle between herself and estranged husband Stephen Belafonte, where they are both battling over money and custody of their child.
The pair – who were married for 10 years – both have outstanding tax debts after making ‘improvident’ lifestyle choices, Los Angeles Superior Court was told.
Despite Mel making between (AU)$220,000 and $250,000 a month, Belafonte’s said ‘She wiped out all her Spice Girls’ money, approximately $50 million ($A65 million) if not more.’
The 42-year-old mum-of-three – who filed for divorce on March 20 this year – says her ex subjected her to ‘multiple physical beatings’ and threatened to release a sex tape.
‘I have tried to leave the Respondent many times. Every time I tried, the Respondent threatened me with violence and threatened to destroy my life in every way,’ she said in a filing earlier this year.
However, Stephen vehemently denies all claims, saying he’s been made to look like a “bad guy” and refuting claims the Mel is cash-strapped.
As well as earning well into the triple figures per month after landing a AU$2.06 million America’s Got Talent deal, Stephen also claims she makes AU$390,000 a year from her work with a nutrition company.
His lawyer also asked the judge to order the sale of the couple’s Los Angeles home if necessary – it is currently on the market for US$8 million.
Jacalyn Davis, representing Mel, spoke of their tax problems, saying they were ‘sustained through improvident lifestyle choices’.
‘They never had money at the end of the year to pay their taxes,’ she added.
‘All their community income was being spent and then some.
‘In this marriage that would be Miss Brown’s income from the Spice Girls.
‘Prickly things happen when the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) doesn’t get paid.’
Belafonte, a producer, has claimed to be homeless, in debt and without income following the break-up of the marriage.
According to TMZ, Mel B has refused to meet his request for US$4,300 a month to cover food and groceries as well a $2,000-a-month clothing allowance.
She says that since he is staying with friends, he doesn’t need to be given $11,000 to pay for housing each month, and she declined to pay $750 a month for his phone bill.
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