Ex-UBS client faces sentencing in Fla. over taxes

By CURT ANDERSON AP Legal Affairs Writer

MIAMI (AP) - A Texas businessman who admitted evading taxes through Swiss bank accounts with UBS AG is hoping to get house arrest and probation for helping investigators find American tax cheats.

Paul Zabczuk (ZAB'-chuck) of The Woodlands, Texas, faces sentencing Tuesday in Miami federal court. He pleaded guilty in April to filing a false tax return as part of the broad U.S. investigation into offshore tax evasion at UBS and other banks.

Most people prosecuted so far in the UBS case have not gone to prison. Zabczuk's attorney says he deserves credit for helping investigators identify some key players.

UBS last year paid a $780 million fine and agreed to reveal the identities of about 4,450 Americans who may be dodging taxes.