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Asheville, NC - Jonathan Taylor, former Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, pleaded guilty on Friday, April 23, to one count of Federal income tax evasion. The U.S. Magistrate of Asheville, Max Cogburn, accepted the guilty plea.

Taylor, 58, was indicted last fall, on charges of tax evasion and accepting bribes. This was during his second term as Principal Chief of the EBCI. The guilty plea came after an agreement with the government that two other tax evasion counts be dropped along with the bribery charges.

Taylor admitted that he had stated on his 1994 joint tax return that they earned $71,930, when the actual earnings came to more than $182,000.

After the hearing the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Mark Calloway, said, "he's pled guilty and acknowledged that he's violated the law, and from our standpoint that ends it."

No date has yet been set for the sentencing, which according to the plea agreement could mean prison for up to five years and a fine of up to $100,000 Additionally the sentence could also include court costs. Both Taylor and his attorney declined to comment after the hearing.

Mrs. Taylor has also been indicted, for allegedly lying under oath to a Federal Grand Jury. According to a spokesperson for Calloway's office, that case is still pending and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

In 1995 Taylor lost the election for Principal Chief of the EBCI. Taylor had also been removed from the EBCI Tribal Council, for misusing tribal employees time for personal maintenance done at his home.

Joyce Dugan is the Principal Chief of the EBCI, at the present time. The tribe has made no comment.