Democrat Tax Evaders

It would seem that the same party that believes in raising taxes and finding new ways to spend money is full of leaders that try to avoid paying taxes.

Here's the short list:

Bill Richardson, New Mexico Democratic Governor, nominated for Commerce Department Secretary. He withdrew on January 4 after it emerged that he was the subject of a Grand Jury investigation for influence peddling, due to his awarding of a $1.5 million state contract to political contributors.

Tom Daschle, Former South Dakota Democratic Senator, nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary. He withdrew on February 3, admitting that he had failed to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on a car and driver provided by a friend and on consulting fees after he left the Senate.

Nancy Killefer, former Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer of the Treasury Department during the Clinton administration, nominated for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget and Chief Performance Officer. Killefer withdrew on February 3 because of a lien against her home for failure to pay unemployment tax for household help.

Hilda Solis, nominated for Labor Secretary, was confirmed on February 11 even though her husband had liens against his business going back 16 years. He paid $6,400 owed a day before her confirmation hearing.

Timothy Geithner, nominated and confirmed on February 24 for Treasury Secretary(in charge of IRS). Geithner failed to pay $34,000 in self-employment taxes while he worked at the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2004. Yet he was still confirmed because Democrats said his position was too important to be left unfilled any longer.

Former Obama campaign worker Susan Tierney, the leading candidate for Deputy Secretary of Energy, dropped out on March 3 without citing a reason. Is she afraid to cite back taxes?

Jane Garvey, reportedly Obama's top choice for Deputy Secretary of Transportation, also dropped out on March 3, reportedly for financial reasons.

Former Washington Democratic Governor Gary Locke. Nominated on March 5, for Secretary of Commerce after Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg withdrew. So far he appears to be sailing through to confirmation, but Frontpage Mag points out he was involved in Chinagate with former Clinton Commerce employee John Huang. Huang wrote a $1,000 check to Locke and co-sponsored fund-raising.

Annette Nazareth, who was to be nominated for Treasury Deputy Secretary, abruptly announced on March 5 she was stepping aside for "personal reasons."

Caroline Atkinson, nominated for Undersecretary of International Affairs, abruptly withdrew on March 5 as well.

Because of the long list of nominees who withdrew for tax problems, their withdrawals are forever tainted with a cloud of suspicion.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Obama's first pick for Surgeon General, withdrew on March 5 without citing a reason. Sources close to the Dr. hinted that he did not want his name associated with a failing administration that is increasingly perceived as corrupt.

Former Dallas Democratic Mayor Ron Kirk, nominated for Trade Representative, failed to pay $10,000 in back taxes for speaking fees over three years. He faced Senate questioning on March 9 over it, but is expected to win confirmation. He has agreed to pay $9,975 in back taxes from 2005-2007.