OMAHA - In his first comment after pleading guilty to failing to file federal income tax returns, Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo on Tuesday described it as "an administrative matter" and said he won't resign from office. Palermo, 46, entered guilty pleas Monday for willful failure to file income tax returns for 2012, 2013 and 2014, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha announced.

He admitted in court that he failed to file the returns within the time required, which is a misdemeanor under federal law. "Absolutely, I will not resign," Palermo said Tuesday before declining to answer further questions.

On Monday, he referred questions to his lawyer, James Martin Davis, who said Palermo has fixed the mistakes and paid what he owed. He noted that Palermo filed the income tax returns more than two years ago.