2 Former PTL Aides Convicted in Tax Case
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two former PTL aides were convicted Tuesday of evading $525,000 in income taxes on money they took from the television ministry to buy condominiums, furs, jewelry and nearly $100,000 worth of shoes.
A federal jury deliberated five hours before convicting the brothers, James and David Taggart, on identical charges: conspiracy to defraud the government and impede the IRS by willfully evading income taxes, and filing false tax returns for the years 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
“Greed doesn’t pay, no matter how rich you are, you’ve got to pay your taxes,” said federal prosecutor David Brown after the verdict. Defense lawyer Ben Cotten, maintaining his clients were innocent, said he was to blame for the guilty verdict, citing “my ineptitude and two very capable and competent government counsel backed with unlimited resources.”
The brothers refused comment as they left the courthouse.
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