Agent Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns

Agent Sentenced for False Tax Returns

Newton represented NFL Players

Atlanta, June 21, 2001 -- Fairron Newton, an Atlanta-based professional sports agent, has been sentenced to two years in prison for filing a false income tax return.

Newton, owner of Options Plus Financial Services, who mainly sought to do business with NFL football players, was also ordered to pay approximately $240,000 in restitution and perform 200 hours of community service, according to an Associated Press report. Options Plus, provided financial assistance to athletes as well as entertainers. Originally charged with a 25-count indictment, Newton, on April 17, pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud in a plea agreement.

Among the NFL players Newton offered his services to, were, Charlie Garner, now of the Oakland Raiders, Fred Baxter, of the New York Jets, and Shawn King, of the Indianapolis Colts, according to the report. In 1995, Newton began filing fraudulent income tax returns for the purposes of generating illegal tax refunds. This after he had entered into a financial management contract with a professional athlete.

David Burkey
daveywriter@hotmail.com