THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 17, 1994 TAG: 9412170256
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
A Virginia union agent pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to help two men avoid taxes by disguising their salaries as expense reimbursements.
The Justice Department said Donald Kenneth Masingo, 67, of Chesapeake and Coral Springs, Fla., admitted to his role, during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington.
As part of a plea agreement that will require him to cooperate with a continuing investigation, Masingo admitted to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one charge of racketeering conspiracy.
Masingo was a branch agent for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association/National Maritime Union. The Justice Department alleged that he helped two workers shield more than $230,000 from payroll taxes between 1983 and 1981.
He was one of 16 current or former union officials indicted in 1993. Masingo could be sentenced to up to 30 years in jail and was ordered to repay a $249,000 severance payment he received from the union.
Sentencing was scheduled for June 6.
KEYWORDS: TAX-FRAUD PLEA AGREEMENT by CNB