Louisiana River Boat Pilot sentenced

[Demosthenes]

Source: IRS

Former President of New Orleans Baton Rouge Pilots Association (NOBRA) Sentenced for Failure to File Tax Returns

On March 4, 2009, in New Orleans, La., Clifford E. Clayton, a river boat pilot, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay approximately $608,000 which represents the federal tax liability for the years charged in the bill of information. Clayton, former President of NOBRA (New Orleans Baton Rouge Pilots Association), pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a three-count bill of information for failure to file tax returns for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. According to the factual basis, Clayton knew that he was required to file returns and that he received sufficient wages which were in excess of the minimum filing requirement. Clayton’s taxable income for 1999, 2000, and 2001 was $51,612,635 resulting in a tax due of $608,727.

[jg]

On March 4, 2009, in New Orleans, La., Clifford E. Clayton, a river boat pilot, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay approximately $608,000 ... Clayton’s taxable income for 1999, 2000, and 2001 was $51,612,635 resulting in a tax due of $608,727.

The article claims he made $51 million and is going to jail for 18 months because he would not file and pay 608K.
But, $51 million was not his taxable gross income according to the court documents.
See UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA UNITED ...

Specifically, the defendant’s taxable income for 1999, 2000 and 2001 was $717,104, $483,860, and $411,671 respectively resulting in tax due of $281,855, $181,057, and $145,815 for 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Nonetheless, is the river boat pilot school accepting applications ?

[Judge Roy Bean]

I think the real number is $1,612,635. (Someone inserted a '5')

[grixit]

Huh. If that's the pay level why did Mark Twain change careers?

[Paul]

What is it with pilots? Trying to catch up with dentists?

[Doktor Avalanche]

I'm in the wrong line of work. I need to get my butt into River Pilot school pronto!