Attorney Sanders sentenced to prison

JACKSON — Vicksburg attorney Marshall E. Sanders was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 18 months in federal prison for failing to file federal income tax returns. He also must pay $1,025,453 in restitution.

In U.S. District Court in Jackson Sanders, 57, was sentenced to two terms, six months and 18 months, to be served consecutively. He also will be on probation for one year after his release from prison, expected to be ini Yazoo City.

Sanders’ first payment on the restitution — for $250,000 — is due in 45 days and subsequent payments will be $3,000 monthly, U.S. Magistrate James C. Sumner said in pronouncing the sentence at the James O. Eastland Federal Courthouse.

Appearing in court for Sanders and asking that the restitution be lower were Vicksburg native and Secretary of State Delbert C. Hosemann and Vicksburg certified public accountant Russell Hawkins. Hosemann told a reporter privately after the sentencing that he was not at the hearing in an official capacity, but in an attempt to aid a former bar colleague.

Sanders was indicted in May on three counts of income tax evasion for 2000-2003. He was accused of using his attorney escrow account to hold and dispense his personal income.

In November, Sanders pleaded guilty to misdemeanors, avoiding a trial.

According to documents filed with the U.S. District Court, Sanders failed to file returns for 2001 and 2002, despite having grossed more than $2.3 million in 2001 and nearly $500,000 in 2002. Sanders, as part of the plea announced in November, agreed to pay taxes due for years 2000 through 2002.

A felony conviction on each count could have resulted in a 15-year prison term.

Read more in Wednesday’s Vicksburg Post