RALEIGH – A Durham attorney pleaded guilty Monday in Wake County District Court to tax charges filed by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

James Edward Hairston, Jr., 40, of 108 Covewood Court, entered guilty pleas on Dec. 13, 2004 to four counts of willfully failing to file his North Carolina individual income tax returns for 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Wake County District Court Judge Don Overby sentenced Hairston to a 30-day prison term. The sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation for 18 months. Hairston also was ordered to pay $20,287.92 in restitution. He must also perform 100 hours of community service.

The state’s evidence showed that Hairston had not filed state income tax returns for tax years 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Hairston’s law office is located at 100 E. Parrish St. in Durham.

The charges against Hairston resulted from an investigation by the Department of Revenue’s Durham Revenue Office and a special agent with the Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Last modified on: 10/31/07 03:44:10 PM .