Former councilman pleads guilty to not filing tax returns

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A former Oklahoma City councilman accused of not filing state income tax returns for nine years has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of failing to file income tax returns.

Oklahoma County court records indicate 36-year-old John Pettis Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday and received a five-year deferred sentence. Pettis was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and court costs.

Pettis resigned from the council in May 2018 shortly after he was charged with three counts of felony embezzlement and one count of failing to file tax returns for the years 2009 to 2017. Pettis was accused of taking at least $165,000 from charities under his control, but prosecutors dismissed the embezzlement counts in May.

Prosecutors say he has paid all back taxes and filed all past-due tax returns.