Former lawmaker pleads guilty to tax charge

McManus, a Democrat, was the bookkeeper for her husband's medical office, Carolina Family Practice. According to the department, she failed to remit employees' North Carolina income tax to the state, despite withholding the tax from the employees' paychecks. She paid restitution of $70,242.41 at the time of Friday's plea. Her husband's medical practice is now closed. 

Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens ordered McManus to pay restitution and a $10,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service in lieu of a suspended 16- to 29-month prison sentence.