Chet Forte Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Tax Violations
Emmy Award-winning sports television producer Chet Forte pleaded guilty today to federal income tax and fraud charges
His attorney said the charges were a result of compulsive gambling.
Forte helped make “Monday Night Football” a national pastime when he worked for ABC Sports.
The plea was accepted by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Rodriguez. Forte, 54, faces a maximum 11 years in prison and $27,000 in fines when he is sentenced Jan. 11.
Forte was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges he fraudulently obtained nearly $1.5 million in loans from banks and mortgage companies. He was charged with failing to file a 1987 income tax return.
The charges allege Forte concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in debts owed Atlantic City casinos, as well as Internal Revenue Service assessments.
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