SPRINGFIELD (AP) – The former deputy director of the city’s Facilities Management Department has been indicted for tax evasion for allegedly trying to hide $180,000 in income.
Joseph McDowell, 54, is scheduled to be arraigned this week in U.S. District Court on charges that he failed to report income from his private construction business from 2000 to 2004.
The five counts against McDowell stem from a six-year public corruption probe that has resulted in more than 40 guilty pleas and convictions so far, according to The Republican of Springfield.
McDowell’s lawyer, John S. Ferrara, declined comment to The Republican.
The indictments do not allege any specific abuses of authority by McDowell in his $75,000-a-year city job, which he lost in 2005 after IRS and FBI agents searched his home and office.
If convicted, McDowell could face up to three years in prison.
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