N. Calif accountant pleads guilty in $13M scheme

— A Sacramento accountant has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $13 million in a Ponzi scheme.

Prosecutors say 55-year-old William Murray cheated 52 clients out of money between 2001 and 2009. He entered his plea in federal court Tuesday to mail fraud and interference with tax administration.

Prosecutors say Murray told clients that he would pay taxes and make investments on their behalf but he instead used the money to support an extravagant lifestyle. They say he would change clients' addresses to his own so they wouldn't receive delinquent tax notices, and used other clients' money when it came time to repay investors.

Murray served as a federal tax agent between 1976 and 1980 and appeared on local television offering tax advice.

He's scheduled for sentencing on May 28.


Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com

The Associated Press


