IRS STILL AFTER RIGASES

The IRS is still pursuing John Rigas and his son, Tim, claiming that they owe more than $300 million in back taxes on ill-gotten gains.

U.S. Middle District Court Judge John E. Jones III in Williamsport ruled last week that the tax fraud and conspiracy charges should go to trial.

The Rigases argued that the federal government is prosecuting them twice, which amounts to double jeopardy.

A separate trial in New York City during 2004 resulted in convictions on conspiracy, bank fraud and securities fraud.

John Rigas, 83, is serving 12 years and Tim Rigas, 52, is serving 17 years, following a recent sentence reduction. The defendants are appealing both their convictions and the appropriateness of the sentences to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

The conspiracy charge before Judge Jones alleges the Rigases obstructed the IRS from collecting taxes on money they illegally obtained from Adelphia Communications Corp., the cable company they operated from headquarters in Coudersport.

A perfect storm of financial disclosures and government crackdown on corporate crime toppled Adelphia in 2002. Its assets were eventually sold to Comcast and Time Warner.

"It's hard to be courageous when things have all gone wrong," John Rigas said as he prepared to enter prison last Aug. 13. "It may take awhile for the truth to unravel and come out, but I know it will happen."

The Rigases can receive mail addressed to either John J. Rigas 53983-054 or Timothy J. Rigas 53982-054, FCI Butner Low, Federal Correctional Institution, P. O. Box 999, Butner NC 27509.

Adelphia once employed upwards of 2,000 workers in Coudersport.

About 15 employees cling to their jobs with the Adelphia estate of today in modular offices along Water Street in Coudersport.