UPDATED: Councilman Speaks On Income Tax Negligence

Editor's note: This article has been updated from the original version to correct the severity of the charges. Jones was charged with a misdemeanor.

The U.S. attorney’s office on Tuesday claiming Anne Arundel County Councilman Daryl Jones (D-1st District) of Severn failed to file income tax returns in 2005, a misdemeanor.

Jones, a criminal defense attorney, was elected to the council in 2006. The year he did not file an income tax report, Jones made $244,365, according to the on Tuesday. The case is labeled the United States of America vs Daryl D. Jones.

“Well knowing and believing all of the foregoing, he did willfully fail, on or about April 17, 2006, in the District of Maryland and elsewhere, to make an income tax return,” according to the court document, signed by U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

Failure to file income taxes is a felony offense, and carries a penalty of up to a year in jail or a $25,000 fine.

Jones, who represents parts of Glen Burnie and Brooklyn Park, provided an update Wednesday regarding the charges. He said he has since rectified the problem and was working toward paying back the taxes and interest owed. He declined to specify the full amount owed.

He said his negligence in filing income tax that year was during a difficult time in his life, dealing with the passing of his mother and caring for his disabled brother.

"I am now up to date, but I was late in filing my taxes. It’s uncharacteristic of me to not address obligations in a timely manner, but to be candid, it was a very tough period,” Jones said. “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 finalizing the issue, fulfilling my responsibilities and moving on."