Prosecutors in Chicago announced charges Wednesday against H. Ty Warner. His attorney issued a statement saying the 69-year-old would plead guilty and pay a penalty of more than $53 million.
Defense lawyer Gregory Scandaglia called the matter an "unfortunate situation" that Warner "has been trying to resolve for several years."
Warner lives suburban Chicago and is the sole owner of TY Inc. The company designs and sells plush toy animals, including Beanie Babies.
According to charging documents, Warner maintained a secret offshore account with the Switzerland-based financial services company, UBS, starting in 1996.
