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PGA Champions Tour Player Faces Tax Evasion Charges

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

TAMPA - Professional golfer Jim Thorpe is facing federal tax evasion charges, accused of failing to pay about $1.6 million owed to the federal government over three years.

Thorpe, 59, of Heathrow, faces four counts of failing to file an income tax return and three counts of failing to pay income taxes, charges which carry up to seven years in federal prison and a fine of up to $3.2 million.

The charges cover the years 2002-04.

Thorpe's attorney, Mark Horwitz, said his client plans to plead not guilty.

"We look forward to having a trial," Horwitz said this afternoon. "We don't think he's willfully violated the law. That's not to say he doesn't owe the tax; but we don't think he's guilty of a crime."

Horwitz called the facts outlined in the charges "the government's spin."

"I think the timing of it is sort of interesting in the sense of what we've just seen coming out of Washington with a Cabinet secretary and some other Cabinet-level appointees," he said, referring to the tax troubles of some of President Obama's nominees.

According to pgatour.com, Thorpe has played more than 300 events and earned more than $13 million on the PGA Champions Tour, formerly known as the Senior Tour. He earned almost $2 million during his PGA Tour career, which included a fourth-place finish at the 1984 U.S. Open.

Thorpe also earned money in endorsements from Harrison Sports and Callaway Golf, among others, and from sponsors including Foxwoods Casino, according to the federal charges. He also received at least $1.7 million in gambling winnings, which he used to continue gambling.

Instead of paying his taxes, Thorpe spent money on purchases such as a $2 million home and a $61,000 vehicle, according to the charges.

He was the sole officer in a corporation, JLT Inc., which was formed in 1998.

At one point, Thorpe failed to make estimated tax payments, even though his accountant had advised him to do so, according to the complaint.

Thorpe was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service for failing to file his 1992 through 1995 tax returns but was not criminally prosecuted because he said he had relied on advice from two accountants.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini.com.

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