Ex-Chicago Bear, ND star faces tax charges

CHICAGO (AP) — An attorney for Chris Zorich says the former Chicago Bear and Notre Dame All-American plans to plead guilty to federal tax charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago announced Thursday that Zorich has been charged with four misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns between 2006 and 2009. During that period, the 43-year-old former defensive tackle allegedly had a gross income totaling more than $1 million.

Defense attorney Matthias Lydon says Zorich will plead guilty at a later hearing. No date has been set.

Failure to file a federal income tax return carries a maximum one-year prison sentence on each count.

Zorich played for the Bears from 1991 through 1996 and for the Washington Redskins in 1997. He played at Notre Dame until 1991.