Poor Bill Gates, anxious to prevent taxes eating into his $38bn fortune, is seeking a reduction in property taxes on his new $50m mansion on the grounds that it is too expensive for any other buyers. The Times reports that Gates’ five acre estate, in the Seattle suburb of Medina, is the most extravagant private residence built in America since newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hurst completed his hilltop mansion in California. As he agonizes as to whether the authorities will heed his tale of woe, Gates can console himself by visiting the health spa on his estate, fishing in the trout stream, visiting the 20-seat cinema to deciding which vehicle to drive in his 30 car garage.
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