AMERICAN IDOL - SHERIFF'S OFFICE PREPARES TO AUCTION BARRINO'S HOME

SHERIFF'S OFFICE PREPARES TO AUCTION BARRINO'S HOME

A North Carolina Sheriff's Office is preparing to auction one of AMERICAN IDOL winner FANTASIA BARRINO's U.S. homes to reimburse a loan used to pay her taxes, according to new reports.
The singer, who landed the TV talent competition crown in 2004, purchased the six-bedroom house in Charlotte, North Carolina in March 2007 for $1.3 million (GBP878,378).
Reports on Tuesday (09Dec08) suggested Barrino faced eviction if she was unable make the necessary payments on the mansion - which has been slated to hit the auction block on 12 January (09) by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
The Broward Energy Partners company agreed to pay more than $68,000 (GBP45,945) of the Grammy winner’s taxes in 2006 and bosses claim they have not been fully compensated.
Sheriff supervisor Sergeant J.W. England says, "Her people never got in contact with us. We could have gone in another direction if she would have communicated with us. I hope it doesn't go to that extreme. We're hoping she'll pay this thing and we'll be out of the picture."
Records obtained by Internet blog Realestalker show Barrino's other Charlotte home - bought in July 2004 for $740,000 (GBP500,000) - is not in financial trouble.
A spokesperson for Barrino had not yet issued comment as WENN went to press.