Extradition Hearing For Father Of Michelle Williams

First Published: October 18, 2006 4:10 PM EDT Credit: AP

Caption Heath Ledger & Michelle Williams

-- Sydney, Australia (October 18, 2006) — Michelle Williams’ father, a prominent stock market trader, was ordered Wednesday to face an extradition hearing over tax evasion charges in the United States.

Australian police, responding to a request from U.S. authorities, arrested 64-year-old Larry Williams in May after he flew into Sydney to begin a monthlong speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand. He was released on $753,000 bail.

Appearing before Sydney’s Central Local Court, Williams was ordered Wednesday to face a hearing on March 26.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service wants to question Williams — a resident of the Virgin Islands — about a possible $1.5 million in unpaid taxes from book royalties and earnings from international seminars he conducted between 1990 and 2001.

His 26-year-old daughter received an Oscar nomination as best supporting actress for her performance in the 2005 film “Brokeback Mountain,” playing the wife of Heath Ledger’s character.

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