James F. McDonough
Of Counsel
732-568-8360 jmcdonough@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Former Chicago Bears' Chris Zorich Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Author: James F. McDonough
Date: March 13, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Chris Zorich, the former lineman for the Chicago Bears, plead guilty to tax evasion, including failing to file federal income taxes for four years.
The ex-NFL star allegedly failed to file federal returns between 2006 and 2009, and is also being charged with generating income relating to work for his charity, deferred payments from the Bears, work for a law firm and appearance fees, according to NBC Chicago. In addition, he received $3,000 each month from the charity he founded in 1993 – the Zorich Foundation – the payments of which are supposedly related to the home office Zorich kept to manage the foundation’s records, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Although Zorich is said to be cooperating fully with federal prosecutors, he faces $100,000 for each of the four counts as well as up to four years in prison. Zorich has requested that potential prison time be reduced to probation. In addition, he explained that his cousin, Barbara Singer, previously handled both his personal finances and tax accounting, as well as the finances of his charity foundation. Singer was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2008, the Tribune notes. Zorich’s representatives said that while it doesn’t excuse his failure to file his taxes, Singer’s death did contribute to the majority of his financial troubles.
The case marks the second time that the former Bears player has been in hot water with federal authorities. Zorich was scrutinized in 2012 after $350,000 went missing from his charity organization, and Zorich’s bank records failed to shed light on how the funds were appropriated. Although he denied misusing the funds, he promptly promised to pay the unaccounted funds. In addition, he was barred from taking a leading role in charities in the state of Illinois, the Tribune reports.
- Practices: Tax and Trusts & Estates
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Understanding Portability for Estate and Gift Tax
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
How Can Trusts Be Used in Business Succession?
For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
Author: George McGowan
Read Before You Sign: IT Contract Pitfalls Every NJ Business Should Know
In today’s digital economy, New Jersey businesses of all sizes rely heavily on technology vendors, software providers, cloud platforms, and managed IT services. Whether your company is purchasing software, migrating data to the cloud, engaging a cybersecurity consultant, or entering into a long-term managed services agreement, a careful IT contract review can have significant operational, […]
Author: George McGowan
New York NDA Requirements for Businesses
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) remain a critical tool for protecting sensitive business information. However, New York NDA requirements have evolved, and businesses must ensure these agreements are carefully drafted to remain enforceable. In a competitive market like New York City, NDAs are commonly used to protect proprietary information, client relationships, and strategic plans. At the same […]
Author: Dan Brecher
New Jersey Will Contest Grounds Explained
How Courts Evaluate Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence Will contests in New Jersey are difficult to win, given the strong presumption that a properly executed will reflects the testator’s intent. However, challenges based on lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence remain common, particularly where there are concerns about mental capacity or the involvement of […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.