The Daily Reflector
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A former Greenville City Council member who filed false statements in a tax return is scheduled for sentencing in federal district court in New Bern this afternoon.
Charles "Ray" Craft, owner of Signs Now, pleaded guilty June 1 to filing a false tax return knowingly and willingly in 2005. He served on the City Council from December 2001 to December 2007.
The U.S. Attorney's office charges he filled out an individual income tax return for 2004, but "failed to disclose that he was engaged in the operation of a business activity from which he derived gross receipts or sales and incurred deductions."
Craft could face up to three years in prison and be fined as much as $100,000, according to the plea agreement. He will not be eligible for parole.
The sentencing was originally set for Sept. 8, but was postponed at the defendant's request for reasons not listed in the court document.
Craft is represented by Greenville attorney Keith Williams. He could not be reached for comment.
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