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Plaxico Burress indicted on tax evasion

By Russell Johnson

Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers player Plaxico Burress looks on before the first half prior to facing the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers player Plaxico Burress looks on before the first half prior to facing the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former NFL WR Plaxico Burress finds himself once again in trouble with the law after indictment for tax evasion

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Former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress is no stranger to legal problems, and today he finds himself in trouble once again. Burress has been indicted on charges of failing to pay state income taxes in New Jersey. The tax bill which Burress has failed to pay tallies up at $47,903.

In addition to owing the outstanding taxes, Burress is facing one count of issuing a bad check or electronic funds transfer and one count of willful failure to pay state tax. These are third-degree charges and they carry a maxmium penalty of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine. Supposedly Burress attempted to pay the bill in October of 2014 but the payment failed to go through. New Jersey authorities contacted Burress but he failed to respond. With a new law on the books that allow for failed electronic payments to be treated the same as failed checks Burress has been indicted both for his failed attempt to pay and refusal to answer calls.

This is by no means Plaxico’s first rodeo. He has faced numerous legal troubles in the past. These have included driving violations, civil law suits over car damages, and most prominently over his accidental shooting in 2008. This was when Plaxico Burress was a wide receiver on the New York Giants.

On November 28th, 2008 Burress accidentally shot himself in the right thigh with his Glock pistol. Burress claims that his gun was sliding down his leg and in attempting to reach for it he accidentally pulled the trigger. The lesson learned here being that if you’re putting guns in your pockets always remember to have the safety on. The injury was not critical and he was released from the hospital the next day. On December 1st, Burress turned himself into the police for charges of criminal possession of a handgun.

Burress was suspended without pay for the remaining four games of the 2008 season for conduct detrimental to the team. Burress was also placed on their reserve injury list which made him ineligible to return for the playoffs. Several weeks later his home was searched by NYPD where they found a 9mm handgun, a rifle, and ammunition. He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and a count of reckless endangerment. He accepted a plea deal which required him to serve in prison for two years which would be followed with two years of supervised release. Burress was released in June of 2011.

Plaxico has proved numerous times that he’s incapable of staying out of trouble. This won’t be the last time you hear about Plaxico Burress in legal trouble.

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