WASHINGTON (AP) — A top aide to a Democratic congressman has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to file individual income tax returns.
The Justice Department says in a statement issued Wednesday that Issac Lanier Avant failed to file timely returns between 2008 and 2013 despite earning more than $165,000 annually.
The website Legistorm lists Avant’s position as chief of staff to Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi. Thompson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Justice Department says Avant filed returns in 2006 and 2007, but those filings each contained false deductions.
Sentencing is scheduled in January. Avant faces a statutory maximum sentence of one year in prison. As part of his plea agreement, Avant has agreed to pay a restitution of more than $153,000 to the IRS.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
He was just taking his lead from Trump’s approach to paying taxes.
TPM, please tell us you’ll be this vigorous reporting on Republican congressional staffers as well.