CHICAGO, March 7 (UPI) -- Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Christopher Zorich has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax charges, prosecutors said Thursday.
In a release, the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago said Zorich has been charged with failing to file tax returns from 2006 to 2009 although he earned about $1 million during those four years. Through his lawyer, Zorich said he plans to enter a guilty plea and is cooperating with the Internal Revenue Service.
Zorich, a football star at Notre Dame, played with the Bears (1991-96), followed by a single season with the Washington Redskins. After he left football, he earned a law degree from Notre Dame and founded the Chris Zorich Foundation, which had the stated aim of helping disadvantaged families in the Chicago area and providing scholarships to Notre Dame.
The foundation paid Zorich $3,000 a month in rent, the IRS said, and continued to do so after its Illinois registration was canceled for failing to file forms in 2002. It also continued to receive contributions after its registration was canceled.
