Rep. Bennie Thompson’s chief of staff has been charged with failing to file federal tax returns for five years.

The Mississippi Democrat’s staffer Isaac Lanier Avant was named in five misdemeanor counts for not filing his returns for 2009 through 2013 when he earned $170,000 per year. 

Thompson told The (Jackson) Clarion Ledger that he wouldn’t fire Avant until he had his day in court and that he would follow up with him about the accusations.

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In a later statement, Thompson said that when given a proper forum, Avant would explain his situation.

“Until such time, I trust that everyone will afford Mr. Avant the presumption of innocence to which all Americans are constitutionally entitled,” the congressman said.