DECATUR, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama sheriff who leaves office next month has agreed to plead guilty to a federal misdemeanor tax charge.
News outlets reported Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin signed an agreement Tuesday to plead guilty to failure to file a 2015 tax return.
The U.S. Justice Department said Franklin will enter the plea Jan. 10. Her replacement takes office Jan. 15 after she did not seek re-election.
Defense attorney William Gray said Franklin filed the tax return by the end of 2016. But it was due by April 15, 2016. Gray said Franklin paid interest, penalties and taxes for the year.
She faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. But prosecutors will recommend a lesser sentence because she accepted responsibility for the late return.