Lanier Avant, Congressman Bennie Thonpson’s chief of staff, has been charged with failing to file federal tax returns for five consecutive years, ending in 2013, according to the Clarion-Ledger.

Avant, son of Panola District 2 Supervisor Vernice Avant and the late Robert Avant, faces five misdemeanor counts for failing to file individual returns in each of the five years for which he earned $170,000 per year, the newspaper reported Wednesday.

Thompson said Tuesday that he had not spoken with Avant, but would ask him about the allegations.
“Everybody has to file taxes. I don’t see any other reason why he didn’t, but I’ll find out from him,” Thompson said.

Federal prosecutors allege that Avant, a House staffer since 2002, falsely claimed on a form filed in 2005 that he was exempt from federal income taxes.
Thompson said Wednesday that Avant will continue working while facing tax-evasion charges.
“He’s charged and if he’s proven to be guilty then obviously that would be the result, but I’m not going to fire him now because he hasn’t had his day in court,” Thompson told The Clarion-Ledger.
If convicted, Avant faces a maximum punishment of one year in prison on each count, a term of supervised release and fines.

Congressman Bennie Thompson says he is standing by his chief of staff who has been charged with failing to file federal tax returns for five consecutive years.August 24, 2016