We take our eye off the Detroit News for a few days and what happens? Former NYT movie critic and amateur cigar smuggler Elvis Mitchell is found to owe the IRS half a million bucks. Slow down, Elvis!

Last year, Elvis (now host of Under the Influence on TCM!) was caught coming across the Canadian border with an undeclared $12k and some Cuban cigars. Which, who wouldn't try it, right? You can't hold that against him.

Anyhow, turns out he owes just over $500,000 in delinquent taxes to the IRS. So maybe the $12K in cash is a sound form of tax shelter, rather than just weekend party money? Times film critic-turned-anti-government tax pirate? It would make a good movie.

Elvis, email us the real story. [via P6. Pic: Getty]

Send an email to Hamilton Nolan, the author of this post, at Hamilton@gawker.com.