Reports: Ex-Sen. Daschle failed to pay taxes (updated)

[ProSense]

Reports: Ex-Sen. Daschle failed to pay taxes

By Jeffrey Young
Posted: 01/30/09 08:30 PM

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), President Obama's nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services, neglected to pay more than $100,000 in taxes connected to a Cadillac and driver provided by a wealthy friend and business associate, according to media reports.

Once thought to be a shoo-in for the Cabinet post because of his expertise on health issues and former membership in the Senate's exclusive and chummy club, the revelations that Daschle's tax errors dwarf those that complicated the confirmation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner casts doubt on Daschle's prospects.

Thought Senate Democrats are likely to rally around their former leader -- as they did for Geithner -- if Daschle cannot clear the upper chamber it would be a huge blow to Obama and the president's ambitious plan to reform the U.S. healthcare system.

Daschle is Obama's designated point man on health reform and would hold the dual titles of Health and Human Services secretary and director of the newly created White House Office of Health Reform. Daschle also was an early and prominent supporter of Obama's candidacy and is a close adviser to the president.

Daschle's trouble dates to his work with the private equity firm InterMedia Advisors, by his friend Leo Hindrey, Jr., a prominent fundraiser for Democratic candidates, ABC News first reported.

link

Good grief!

Updated:

Daschle Pays $100k in Back Taxes Over Car Travel

Updated 7:55 p.m.
By Ceci Connolly

Former senator Thomas A. Daschle, nominated to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, paid more than $100,000 in back taxes and interest this month for the use of a car and driver over the past three years, the White House said tonight.

Daschle spokeswoman Jenny Backus said that Daschle "naively" believed the car service was a "generous offer from a friend," and he discovered only last summer that it is considered reportable income.

Daschle brought the matter to the attention of the Senate Finance Committee "when he submitted his nomination forms," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in an e-mailed statement tonight. "We are confident the committee is going to schedule a hearing for him very soon and he will be confirmed."

The committee plans to meet privately with Daschle on Monday evening to review his financial records.

Daschle's payment of the back taxes was first reported tonight by ABC News.

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[Jackpine Radical]

1. Oh, great.

Don't they vet these people? If the press can get this stuff, Obama's people should have.

[havocmom]

2. screwing up & hiring an inept account is one thing. His spineless performance on the Hill

now THAT annoys me.

[Captain Hilts]

14. He was a really lousy leader. nt

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. "Spineless leader" is oh so correct

Mealy mouthed, sniveling little coward. He was just god awful.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Power Corrupts. Rare is the person in a high place that has a clean background.

Ironic, isn't it? We've had eight years of crimes out in the open. Now we are seeing ghosts exiting closets. It all just makes me shake my head.

[Double T]

4. This is one guy that doesn't need to be thrown under the bus............

he'll crawl there under his own power. What's wrong, can't the guy drive himself? I'm sure a competent replacement can be found for this overindulged arrogant idiot.

[Thrill]

5. Obama needs to put his foot down on this shit. Sorry Daschle, no HHS for you

I was ok with Geitner. But not this one. Nope

[TeamJordan23]

6. I agree. This is becoming a habit. nm

[Barack_America]

11. Oh yeah.

This stinks. A car and driver provided by a wealthy "friend"? Oh no no no.

[camera obscura]

7. While it wouldn't hurt me to see Daschle replaced he is very close to Obama and will make it thru.

He's much closer to Obama than Geithner or Solis (to give two examples of other problematic appointments). Also as Clinton showed it's much easier for an ex-Senator to be approved by their old buddies.

[ShadowLiberal]

8. Oh my god, just pay your taxes already people!

Seriously this is just getting out of control now. How many appointees can get tripped up over the same exact problem!

[Why Syzygy]

9. How can someone who WRITES tax laws, not KNOW tax laws?

I find the explanation wanting.

[cottonseed]

26. KNOWING tax laws isn't the problem. FOLLOWING them is.

Seems that's what we see a lot of with those in power. Everyone in every party.

[Why Syzygy]

28. The *official* explanation to his error was blamed on ignorance of the law. nt

[cottonseed]

32. Yea.. that "I didn't know" defense is pretty weak.

Wish these guys would just fess up and say, "Look, those that have money realize that you under report and pay as little taxes as possible, when you're caught, you shrug your shoulders and pay up."

It's really what most people should do. Be as aggressive as possible with your taxes while being able to "make good" when you're called on it.

[Barack_America]

10. Paging Dr. Howard Dean....

Dr. Howard Dean, are you available?

[BeyondGeography]

13. Not a bad idea there, formerly Kristi

:thumbsup:

[regnaD kciN]

23. My thoughts, exactly...!

[TeamJordan23]

12. Well the Administration has learned quick to drop bad news on a Friday evening. nm

[quakerboy]

15. At this rate

Obama will increase US tax income enough to pay for his stimulus cash on the barrel.

[katandmoon]

16. WHY did Obama nominate this tax cheat? He will not enhance the Obama administration.

He will detract from it. Just as the new tax cheat Sec. of Treasury does.

[Beacool]

17. Well, if the guy who will oversee the IRS can cheat on his taxes,

why not Daschle?

:shrug:

[katandmoon]

18. In both cases it's wrong, and it makes Obama look bad for nominating them. Don't you think?

[Beacool]

19. Yes, it does.

That's why I was being sarcastic. How can the Treasury Secretary be a tax cheat who only corrected his "mistake" when he was up for the job?

:eyes:

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Let's give Obama the benefit of the doubt. If he needs Daschle that badly, then he should get him......

Obama knows what he's doing. Trust him and he'll deliver. We need universal healthcare in this country, NOW. Keep your eyes on the prize.

[delete_bush]

21. Of course it does. And for those of us

who on other boards are engaged in debating repukes, I have to say that crap like this makes it all the more difficult. At one time I respected the guy, but to hell with him.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. Give the guy a freakin' break. People here act like they never made a mistake in their lives.

[bigwillq]

20. Do not confirm Daschle.

That is the logical, and sensible, thing to do.

We need to change DC, not fill it with the same old corrupt politicians of the past.

[biopowertoday]

22. First Geithner -now Daschel Pay up when caught. ummm.. not

the kind of people I want to see in Obama's leadership circle.

[democracy1st]

24. tell his ass to get lost but I know its not going to happen

[Blue_In_AK]

25. I don't understand all these guys with their tax issues.

The IRS was all over me when I was too broke to pay them one year...even though I was in the process of working out a payment schedule with our local office, the national folks seized my ENTIRE paycheck.

[marshall]

27. Taxes are only for the little guy

It doesn't sound like any of them pay taxes.

[Why Syzygy]

29. The IRS should put all audits on hold until they have audited

EVERY public servant in the country. This is crap.

Two out of how many nominees so far? That's got to be at least 10%? Think of the revenues they could generate if that statistic holds true throughout.

Put THAT in the stimulus.

[truedelphi]

30. wish i could k&r yer post n/t

[Why Syzygy]

31. I haven't been participating

on change.gov. Would that be the place to post something like this? If not, where?

:thanks: for the kudo :D

[truedelphi]

35. I am not at all sure about change.gov. It may have

It may have changed to a new site now that Obama is installed as President

[rvablue]

36. Daschle wasn't initially forthcoming so it's not Obama's fault. But with these revelations, Daschle

should step aside immediately.