Refuses to face about fifty charges (5)

I believe the answer is:

flees

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'refuses to' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'about fifty charges' is the wordplay.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'fifty' becomes 'l' (Roman numeral).
'charges' becomes 'fees' (fee is a kind of charge).
'l' inserted inside 'fees' is 'FLEES'.

'face' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for flees that I've seen before include "flies" , "Runs away" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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