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Chris Zorich, Former Bears Player, Charged in Tax Evasion

By DNAinfo Staff on March 7, 2013 2:03pm  | Updated on March 7, 2013 3:01pm

 Chris Zorich, a former Chicago Bears defensive tackle, was indicted Thursday on charges of federal tax evasion
Chris Zorich, a former Chicago Bears defensive tackle, was indicted Thursday on charges of federal tax evasion
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CHICAGO — A former Bears player and a Cook County sheriff's deputy who moonlighted as a Big Ten referee were charged in separate cases Thursday with tax evasion, officials said.

Chris Zorich, 43, a defensive lineman for the Bears from 1991-1996, was charged with four counts of failing to file federal income taxes from 2006-2009, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Zorich earned more than $1 million over those years, the statement said.

Zorich's attorney said his client will plead guilty, and he is cooperating with the IRS, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Pamon, 61, was charged with four counts of failing to file federal income tax returns from 2006 through 2009, when he earned more than $325,000 in total, officials said.

Pamon officiated college basketball, football and baseball games and Arena Football League Games in his spare time, according to a statement.

Zorich, a University of Notre Dame graduate, worked for a Chicago law firm from 2002-2006 and as the founder and executive director of the Chris Zorich Foundation. His charity provided scholarships to disadvantaged Chicago students.

Misspending in his charity landed Zorich in hot water in August, when he was required to pay back $350,000 in unaccounted for funds and barred from leading any Illinois charity, the Tribune reported.

The former Bears player earned income from the Bears, his foundation, the Chicago law firm, Notre Dame and personal appearance fees during the years he did not file taxes, according to the feds.

Pamon earned income from a private security company and his officiating, including for the Big Ten Conference and Arena Football League games.

Each count of failure to file a tax return could carry a sentence of a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. If convicted, the men would also owe back taxes and interest.

Arraignment dates have not been set.