Ex-Philly traffic judge to plead guilty to fed tax charge

A former Philadelphia traffic judge who faces state disciplinary charges for alleged ticket-fixing will soon plead guilty to federal income tax charges.

Michael Sullivan, who resigned last week, will plead guilty to willfully failing to file quarterly tax returns that showed how many people he employed at his family-owned bar, the Fireside Tavern. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia say Sullivan filed quarterly returns for just one employee when he really had several who were paid cash “under the table” to avoid taxes.

Defense attorney Henry Hockeimer tells the Philadelphia Daily News that Sullivan will plead guilty and face a maximum of one year in jail and a $25,000 fine. The plea date hasn’t been set.

Sullivan was acquitted of fixing tickets, but still faces related charges brought by the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania.