I know the name Freddie Mitchell might elicit some laughs from hardcore NFL fans. If you're a Philadelphia Eagles fan you might get a stream of expletives. Mitchell, the former Eagles first round pick and receiver was a colossal bust, sans the playoff game against Minnesota during the Eagles' Super Bowl run.
After the Eagles let him go, there hasn't been too much news regarding good ole Fred X. You know what they say no news is good news. Well, Mitchell has gotten himself in a bit of trouble with the IRS and it isn't for tax evasion. Mitchell is facing some serious prison time for federal tax fraud charges.
Mitchell and two other people, Jamie Russ-Walls and Richard Walls, face federal charges in the case in Florida, in an indictment obtained by Fox 29.
The indictment filed by the U.S. attorney in Orlando, Fla., says a company set up by Mitchell, Chameleon Enterprises, was involved in the alleged scam.
The target of a scheme was a professional athlete with the initials A.G., who investigators said had no knowledge of the scheme, but paid for a firm connected with Mitchell to do his taxes.
According to the indictment, the plan was to file for false federal tax returns electronically.
Jamie Russ-Walls and Richard Walls allegedly filed the tax returns, claiming refunds ranging from $170,000 to $1.9 million. The two men also attached false documents to support the refund claims, the indictment says.
The men enlisted Mitchell to recruit professional athletes as tax-return customers.
That is something serious and Mitchell could wind doing some hard time if he's convicted of the charges. Mitchell might really have to become Fred X if he winds up having to do some time in the pokey.
Somewhere there are some Eagles fans laughing hysterically.