Jim Thorpe faces prison following tax evasion conviction

January 24, 2010

Jim Thorpe, a three-time PGA Tour winner, who twice played in pro events on the Monterey Peninsula last fall, has been given a one-year jail sentence for failing to pay more than $2 million in income tax.

Thorpe, 60, who also won 13 tournaments on the Champions Tour, has played in more than 750 pro tournaments and last won in 2007 at the Charles Schwab Cup in Sonoma, California.

Thorpe finished tied for 30^th last September in the Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and tied for 16th last November at the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational, also at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Since turning pro in 1972, Thorpe has earned more than $13 million.

Prosecutors said Thorpe did not file an individual tax return in 2002, 2003 and 2004 until he was confronted by special agents of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to court documents, the amount of unreported income for the three years was $5.36 million and the tax loss was $2.06 million.

A Florida court ruled Thorpe must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by April 1. Thorpe’s sentence will also included two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service.

Thorpe, who pleaded guilty last September, must attempt to repay the tax while on supervised release.

Posted in Champions Tour