Isley Pleads Not Guilty To Tax Charges

Ron Isley pleaded not guilty to five counts of tax evasion and one count of failing to file a tax return January 10th in Los Angeles.

The Isley Brothers lead singer was indicted in October on charges of evading taxes from 1997 to 2002. He allegedly deposited checks made out to his deceased brother, O’Kelly, used business accounts for personal purchases, and paid band members in cash to obscure financial records.

Isley, 63, could spend 26 years in prison if convicted.

The singer has had brushes with the Internal Revenue Service before: The agency seized his yacht, cars and other property in 1997, prompting him to declare bankruptcy.

His trial is set to begin March 8th.