Former Seahawk Sam Adams was criminally charged for failing to pay employees and state sales taxes at the West Seattle Athletic Club.
Adams told KIRO-7 Friday, "I'm not a criminal, one. Number two, I do a ton for my community. The businesses -- I did have some trouble with the businesses."
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed the charges against Adams and his co-owner, Dana Sargent.
"If you cheat your workers and cheat the state my office will hold you accountable," Ferguson said in a statement.
The pair owned and operated six athletic clubs, four in Oregon and two in Washington, between 2012 and 2014. One Washington location in Tacoma closed in 2013 due to unpaid retail sales tax.
The West Seattle Club -- once operated under West Seattle Athletic Club -- closed in October 2014 after the landlord evicted the defendants for unpaid rent. Click here to read KIRO 7's earlier report on the West Seattle Athletic Club.
The attorney general claims the two engaged in wage theft, theft, and tax fraud totaling more than $500,000.
Adams is charged with 17 counts of theft and four counts filing fraudulent tax returns. If convicted of theft and tax fraud Adams could spend 4- 5 years in prison.
When asked about owing more than 450-thousand in sales tax Adams responded, "That's shocking, I would have to check into that. I know I do owe some sales tax. That amount is shocking to me."
Adams, 41, was a Seahawks first round draft choice in 1994 (the eighth draft pick overall) and was a three-time Pro Bowler at defensive tackle. He later won the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. A Texas A&M graduate and former High School All-American, Adams last season was 2007 with the Denver Broncos.
He is summoned to appear in King County Superior Court February 18.
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