Former Bear, sheriff’s deputy charged with tax evasion

A former Chicago Bear and a Cook County sheriff’s deputy from Elk Grove Village were both charged in separate cases with failing to file federal income tax returns.

Federal prosecutors said former Bear defensive lineman Chris Zorich, 43, of Chicago, and Cook County sheriff’s deputy Stephen R. Pamon, 61, failed to file tax returns from 2006 through 2009.

Zorich played for the Bears from 1991 to 1996.

Prosecutors said Zorich failed to report more than $1 million in income earned during that period. Pamon, who also officiates college basketball, football and baseball games along with Arena Football League games, did not report income totaling nearly $325,000 during that time frame, prosecutors said.

Zorich’s attorney authorized the government to say that his client intends to cooperate with investigators and plead guilty to the misdemeanor charges, federal officials said.

According to the indictment, Zorich received deferred compensation from the Bears, rental income for a defunct namesake foundation, income from his law firm, payments from the University of Notre Dame as well as personal appearance fees that were not reported during that four-year span.

In Pamon’s case, the indictment accuses him of failing to report total income from his jobs as a sheriff’s deputy, a private security worker and a sports official.

The men each face up a year in prison if convicted and a maximum $100,000 fine, according to prosecutors.