By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN FEDERAL COURT - Former Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge for failing to pay more than $1 million in taxes.
Stein is a figure in the ongoing court drama involving financier to the stars Kenneth Starr, who's accused of running a $30 million Ponzi scheme. Although Stein's latest charge was not related to the Starr case, prosecutors got onto Starr after looking into Stein's tax issues.
Stein was arrested in May, along with Starr, and was initially charged with tax crimes and lying to investigators about Starr's dealings. Those charges were superceded by the latest charge.
"I am 100 percent wrong and 100 percent sorry," Stein told U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Ronald Ellis on Wednesday.
Before admitting that he "willfully" did not pay more than $1 million to the government by April 15, 2009, Stein said he "stupidly" ignored his tax obligations that year.
He said he filed his tax return "correctly" but never paid what what was owed to the government.
"I did not pay [2008] taxes. I take full responsibility for that failure," Stein told the judge.
"It was willful sir, I'm sorry. There's no question about it," he added.
Stein, who also served in the state assembly and as City Council president, faces up to one year in prison at his sentencing on March 1.
Before heading to the clerk's office Stein wished reporters a "happy new year." He was then whisked away by his attorney, Andrew Maloney.
When asked about his alleged dealing's with Starr, Stein indicated that his plea deal exonerated him.
"Ask those guys — the U.S. Attorneys. I had nothing to do with that," Stein said about the Starr case.
Starr pleaded guilty in September.
