Boy Wonder Not So Wonderful

Chris Roberts, a former councilman and school board member from Jefferson Parrish, LA, was indicted on 29 counts of tax evasion and wife fraud, just 10 days after resigning.

Roberts was hailed as the “boy wonder” when he was elected to the office two decades ago at the age of 21.

The charges state that Roberts under-reported his income to the IRS every year from 2010 to 2016.  He amended them after learning about the investigation, but still withheld income information from business interests and gambling winnings.

Roberts also worked as a general manager for a landscaping company and wrote checks to himself and his other businesses from the landscaping company’s checking account for over $41,000.  Among his purchases was a 2-carat diamond ring he used as an engagement ring for his second wife. Roberts blamed his financial problems on his divorce from his first wife, although he has been sued 5 times from creditors which resulted in 4 judgements against him in the amount of $267,713.

If convicted on all counts, Roberts could face up to 475 years in prison and a fine of $6.2 million.