The Anne Arundel County Councilman who was charged Tuesday in federal court for failing to file a tax return in 2005 has hired a prominent Baltimore attorney and Montgomery County communications firm to handle the legal and public relations issues from the allegations.
County Councilman Daryl D. Jones, who briefly answered questions about the indictment when reached on his cell phone Tuesday, issued a statement Wednesday through a media adviser expressing regret and reiterating that he failed to file the return because of family illness, but that he is now "up to date."
"It's uncharacteristic of me to not address obligations in a timely manner, but to be candid, it was a very tough period as I struggled to take care of my mother who was gravely ill for an extended time, and then with her passing, adding on the additional responsibility of taking care of my disabled brother," read the statement issued by Audrey Fix Schaefer, a communications executive.
It continued: "I regret that it happened and I have been working to resolve the matter. I'm now up to date in filing and paying the taxes and interest. I look forward to finalizing the issue, fulfilling my responsibilities and moving on."
Jones, a second-term Democrat from Severn, was indicted on a single count of failing to file a tax return by the deadline, which is a misdemeanor.
Jones has retained attorney Andrew C. White, a partner in the Baltimore firm Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin and White, to represent him in the tax matter, according to Schaefer. White could not be immediately reached for comment. Jones, a defense attorney himself, also owns a tavern in Glen Burnie.
Marcia Murphy, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, said Wednesday she could not confirm the status of Jones' taxes. An initial appearance and arraignment in the case is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. before U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Hollander, said Murphy.
