NORTH MYRTLE BEACH -- The state Department of Revenue charged Chad Brian Hatley, 43, of Little River, with ten counts of tax related charges consisting of two counts of income tax evasion, two counts of failure to file income tax returns and six counts of failure to collect or pay withholding tax.
The DOR says Hatley earned $461,816 in gross income with a tax due of $21,599 for tax years 2005 and 2006. It says Hatley didn't file individual income tax returns and didn't pay the tax due. Each count is a felony. If convicted, Hatley could face fines of up to $20,000 and/or up to ten years in prison.
For tax years 2007 and 2009, the revenue department says Hatley earned $164,408 in gross income. It says Hatley didn't file his individual income tax returns on time for these two years. That's why he's charged with two counts of failure to file income tax returns. If convicted of these misdemeanor charges, Hatley could face fines of up to $20,000 and/or up to two years in prison.
For his law firm, Hatley Law Firm, LLC, the Department of Revenue says Hatley didn't truthfully account for and claim more than $11,826 of state income taxes withheld for the quarters ending 12/31/2005 through 6/30/2009. For this time period, the company deducted from the taxable wages of its employees $17,562.22 in state income taxes and remitted to the DOR $5,735.53 of the taxes withheld. If found guilty of each of the six felony charges, Hatley could face fines of up to $60,000 and/or up to 30 years in prison.
Hatley is out on bond. The Horry County Sheriff's Office assisted with the arrest.
Hatley is the son of Mayor Marilyn Hatley, now serving her third term as Mayor of the City of North Myrtle Beach.
