Sentencing set in tax evasion case
Sentencing has been set for Feb. 8 for a Brownsville man who has entered a guilty plea to failing to file federal tax returns.
William “Bruiser” James, 33, a former NFL player who founded a clothing company, Team Humanity, in Brownsville earlier this year, remains in the custody of U.S. marshals. He has been housed at the federal prison in Philadelphia since late September after he failed to appear for a Sept. 5 status conference before a federal judge in New Jersey.
A Team Humanity business associate, Terry Vassar of Brownsville, said the situation James is in is not affecting the company.
“Bruiser isn’t Team Humanity; he’s the vision behind Team Humanity. He’s not even on the board. It’s not his corporation,” Vassar said. “It hasn’t stopped the momentum of the business at all.”
James had been free on $50,000 unsecured bond after pleading guilty in May to failing to file federal tax returns between 2005 and 2009 while he played professional football. James earned an estimated $9.2 million during that time period, according to federal records.
Bond was revoked for James after he failed to appear for a status conference, failing to meet with the probation department for presentencing evaluation and after failing several tests for marijuana use, according to a federal prosecutor.
The May plea agreement called for James to plead guilty to one of five counts of failing to file a federal tax return, with the understanding that he would not face prosecution on the remaining charges if he complied with all terms of the agreement. Under the agreement, he faces up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000. Actual sentencing is at the discretion of the judge. A presentencing investigation is under way.