The US Department of Justice is suing Roger Stone for about $2 million in unpaid federal income taxes it claims is owed by the close ally of former president Donald Trump.
The civil lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, alleges that Mr Stone and his wife, Nydia, used a commercial entity to "shield their personal income from enforced collection and fund a lavish lifestyle despite owing nearly $2 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties", reported Reuters.
Mr Stone said his tax bill has been public knowledge for years and called claims of a lavish lifestyle "a laughable joke".
"This is yet another example of the Democrats weaponising the Justice Department in violation of the rule of law. I will fight these politically motivated charges and I will prevail again," Mr Stone said.
Mr Stone, 68, is a colourful Republican political operative, known for his high-end wardrobe and tattoo on his back of former president Richard Nixon.
When Mr Trump considered running for president in 2000, Mr Stone was an advisor. He also briefly worked on Mr Trump's successful 2016 presidential campaign.
Mr Stone was indicted by Robert Mueller, the former special counsel tasked with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Mr Mueller’s investigation, which Mr Trump called a “witch hunt,” led to criminal charges against dozens of people, including Trump associates such as political strategist Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Many former officials and supporters of Mr Trump benefitted from the president's use of "executive clemency" and were pardoned before he left office.
-
US President Donald Trump's former Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon exits Manhattan Federal Court following his arraignment on fraud charges over allegations that he used money from his group "We Build The Wall" on personal expenses in New York, August 20, 2020. AFP -
Rapper Kodak Black, August 27, 2017. Reuters -
Rapper Lil Wayne performs during the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada , U.S. September 18, 2015. Reuters -
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick appears in Wayne County Circuit Court for his sentencing in Detroit, Michigan, October 28, 2008. AFP -
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes on stage during Ronald McDonald House New York's 27th annual gala at the Grand Hyatt on May 13, 2019 in New York City. AFP -
Elliott Broidy poses for a photo at an event in New York, Feb. 27, 2008. AP -
Former Google and Uber engineer Anthony Levandowski leaves the the Robert F. Peckham U.S. Federal Court on September 04, 2019 in San Jose, California. AFP -
Paul Erickson leaves the federal courthouse on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, in Sioux Falls, S.D. AP -
Charles Kushner and Jared Kushner attend LORD & TAYLOR Launches IVANKA TRUMP's Spring 2012 Collection at Lord & Taylor on March 28, 2012 in New York City. Getty Images -
Paul Manafort, center, arrives at court in New York, June 27, 2019. AFP -
Attorney Alex van der Zwaan leaves U.S District Court after pleading guilty during a scheduled appearance February 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. AFP -
Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, leaves the federal court following a status conference in Washington, Sept. 10, 2019. AP -
George Papadopoulos visits "The Story With Martha MacCallum" at Fox News Studios on March 26, 2019 in New York City. Getty Images -
Michael Milken attends Prostate Cancer Foundation's Dinner At Daniel on November 19, 2019 at Daniel in New York City. Getty Images -
Roger Stone exits federal court Washington, Nov. 15, 2019. AP
A federal jury in Washington convicted Mr Stone on seven counts of lying to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
At trial, prosecutors said Mr Stone told five different lies to legislators on the US House Intelligence Committee about his contacts with the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks.
Mr Trump granted Mr Stone a presidential pardon in December.
He had previously commuted Mr Stone's sentence, allowing him to avoid a prison sentence.
