IRS Seizes Property From Alleged Porno Kingpin

About $800,000 worth of artworks and other property has been seized from the Van Nuys home of alleged pornography kingpin Reuben Sturman to help pay off his $4.9-million tax bill, the Internal Revenue Service said Friday.

The property was taken Thursday from Sturman’s sprawling home in the 13900 block of Weddington Street and will be sold at a public auction to pay the back taxes, said Patricia Hudak, IRS assistant public affairs officer in Cleveland. The IRS has also placed a tax lien against the football-field-sized property, which is surrounded by a 5-foot fence.

Sturman was convicted in Cleveland last November of violating banking requirements, conspiracy and tax fraud after an investigation by the IRS that involved proceeds from an alleged pornography distribution empire. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $2.46 million, but remains free on $1-million bail while appealing the conviction. He could not be reached for comment.