Treasurer seeks foreclosure on house Tyson had owned

WARREN -- Trumbull County Treasurer Christ Michelakis is asking a court to foreclose on the Southington property formerly owned by boxer Mike Tyson.
Jason C. Earnhart, an assistant county prosecutor, filed the lawsuit Wednesday citing delinquent land taxes. The case has been assigned to Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
The lawsuit names John Toggle, trustee, whose address is listed as 3737 state Route 534, Southington, and Showtime Networks Inc. of New York as defendants.
Toggle, who couldn't be reached, is the property owner, according to county property tax records.
In December 1999, Paul Monea, owner of NCP Marketing Group Inc. of Stark County, bought the 25,000-square-foot home from former heavyweight champion for $1.3 million.
NCP is the company that markets the Tae-Bo exercise tapes that feature martial arts trainer Billy Blanks. Toggle is the trustee of the Monea family trust.
Tyson bought the home in 1989 for $300,000. Ted Vannelli, a former Trumbull County commissioner, built the house. Tyson had told reporters he bought the home so he could train at fight promoter Don King's camp in Orwell, about 20 miles from the Southington home.
As of Wednesday, delinquent taxes on the property total $99,868, according to court documents.
The suit asks the court to order the sale of the property and the proceeds be paid to the treasurer's office to satisfy the taxes, penalties and interest through the sale date.
While living in Southington, Tyson battled with township trustees and zoning officials while trying to keep a tiger on the property. Zoning laws prohibit residents from housing dangerous animals.