Mechanicsville family faces tax charges

Five members of a Mechanicsville family have been charged with filing false income-tax returns for allegedly understating their tax liability by a combined $38,000.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the five are Eugene Bud Helmick and his wife, Doris Marie Helmick, both 72; and children Michael Wayne Helmick, 48; Eugene Larry Helmick, 41; and Diana Marie Acree, 40. If found guilty, the maximum punishment is three years in prison.

Authorities say that each has waived indictment and signed a plea agreement. An arraignment date is expected to be set soon. Their lawyer, Stefan Calos, said he could not comment on the cases. -- Frank Green