Roswell man pleads in federal tax case

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) - A Roswell insurance agent accused of filing bogus financial documents to the Internal Revenue Service has pleaded guilty in a federal tax investigation.

Prosecutors say 77-year-old William "Bill" Merritt created fake financial documents to pay more than $311,000 in taxes from 1998 through 2000. He also was accused of sending a bogus certified draft worth $154,000 to pay taxes owed in 1999.

As part of a plea agreement, Merritt acknowledged he failed to file federal income tax returns for the years 1998 through 2004. He also admitted the certified drafts he submitted had no value but were designed to appear as legitimate financial instruments.

Sentencing has not been scheduled. Merritt faces up to three years in prison.

Public Defender Thomas Jameson declined comment on Merritt's case.

---

Information from: Roswell Daily Record