Ocean County GOP leader George R. Gilmore went on a spending spree, buying exorbitant items like an $82,000 woolly mammoth tusk while he was borrowing thousands of dollars from friends and business associates, according to a testimony Thursday by the prosecution of his federal tax trial.
As reported by APP.com, prosecutors claimed Gilmore owed approximately $1.5 million in taxes. His personal expenditure amounted to $2.5 million, according to his indictment in January. He was indicted on six federal charges, including tax evasion, filing false tax returns, failing to pay payroll taxes and making false statements on a loan application. He pleaded not guilty Jan. 18 and subsequently rejected a plea deal offer.
Robert Hutchins, Gilmore’s long-time accountant and Sally Kalksma, an employee of the Ocean County Board of Elections where Gilmore is the chairman, testified Thursday. Both said they had loaned money to Gilmore totaling more than $500,000, the website reported.
Gilmore also borrowed more than $9 million from his law firm to pay for personal expenses.
If convicted, Gilmore could face prison time and fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Disha Raychaudhuri may be reached at disha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Disha_RC.