Guilty Plea in Tax Evasion
A former major league baseball player living in Newport Beach was sentenced to five years’ probation Friday after pleading guilty in Santa Ana to tax evasion and trying to bribe an auditor in connection with his 1999 state returns.
Dennis Ribant, 62, who pitched six seasons for the New York Mets, was also ordered to pay $102,000 in back taxes and court costs as well as perform 50 hours of community service, according to a state Franchise Tax Board spokesman.
“Tax evasion is not a victimless crime,” spokesman Barry Gilbert said. “California has zero tolerance for tax evaders.”
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