Posted at 2:01 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2006
Former surf king Garcia pleads guilty to tax evasion
The Associated Press
Garcia, whose real name is Vincent Sennen, admitted in court that he failed to pay income taxes on $161,450 in prize winnings from riding waves in Fiji, Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil.
Garcia also told U.S. Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr., that he intentionally failed to report another $255,635 from 1996 to 1999, and in 2001.
He faces a maximum three-year prison sentence and fines of up to $100,000 when he is sentenced on Aug. 28.
Garcia is a six-time winner of surfing's Triple Crown championship. He pulled in more than $1 million in prize money during his time on the professional tour.
Fellow surfer Poncho Sullivan described him as "probably the best Hawaii surfer ever" when he left the tour last year.
