SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – A former strip club owner admitted Wednesday that he was on the lam for 12 years to avoid being sentenced on tax evasion charges.

John Verducci, who used to own the Mardi Gras Gentleman’s Club in downtown Springfield, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to jumping bail in 1992.

Verducci, who tried to persuade people that he had died, according to prosecutors, faces up to five years in prison when he’s sentenced on March 6, but will likely receive a lighter punishment under federal sentencing guidelines.

He was arrested last year in Memphis, Tenn., where he was paying $400 a week to live in a hotel under an alias. When federal marshals caught him, Verducci had $120,000 in cash hidden in his hotel room and $570,000 in $100 bills locked away in a safe deposit box, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariane Vuono said.

Verducci of Agawam, pleaded guilty in 1992 to hiding millions of dollars in assets but disappeared before his sentencing date.

“He had the word out that he was dead,” Vuono said.

AP-ES-12-21-05 1855EST