William James, Former Eagle, Pleads Guilty to Failing to File Taxes

A former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back admitted in Camden federal court Wednesday he intentionally failed to file federal income tax returns on five years' worth of his football salary, and now faces up to a year in prison and a hefty fine.

William James, 32, formerly known as William Peterson Jr., admitted to deliberately ignoring his obligations on roughly $9.2 million in salary in pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle.

According to court documents, James, who now lives in Woodland Park, NJ, ignored advice from his accountant and financial team between 2005 and 2008, who repeatedly told him via telephone, in person and in writing of his obligation to file tax returns. James, who told his advisers at the time he'd sent the information, admitted in court he ignored that advice, and that he failed to send the necessary items to file his returns.

The IRS took steps to try to notify James, as well, sending certified letters and actually visiting his Passaic County home between March 2008 and August 2009 to hand-deliver notices.

Court documents also show they also sent 20 automated notices between March 2007 and December 2009, one of which James passed along to his accountant, but otherwise ignored.

Besides the Eagles, James played for the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in a career that spanned from 2001 through 2010.

The charge to which James pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, or twice the gain resulting from the offense or twice the loss to any victim.