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Filed Under:Craig Dellimore, Former Congressman, Income Tax Returns, Mel Reynolds, Tax Evasion
Former Congressman Melvin Reynolds arrives at the Harare Magistrates court on February 19, 2014. Reynolds had been arrested for violating immigration laws and possessing pornographic material. (Photo credit: JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

UPDATE: 12:24 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) —Former 2nd District Congressman Mel Reynolds was scheduled to be arraigned in federal court today on tax charges. But he failed to show up, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

Former Congressman Mel Reynolds is facing federal charges of failing to file income taxes for four years, beginning in 2009.

He was not in court for his scheduled arraignment, but his attorney Theodore Poulos was.

“He has been overseas out of the country since early June attending to medical issues involving his daughter,” Poulos said.

He wouldn’t give any details but does say Reynolds will appear for the new arraignment date set for July 30.

“He is charged with misdemeanor violations, not felonies,” Poulos said. “There is no allegation, there is no charge of tax evasion or tax fraud. That is not what the case is about.”

Reynolds has faced charges before. He gave up his congressional seat in 1995 after being convicted of having sex with an underage campaign worker.