The Rev. Al Sharpton owed at least $1.8 million in back taxes before striking a sweetheart deal with the feds last summer that chopped the bill almost in half and kept him out of the slammer, The Post has learned.
Once a street hustler ...
A series of federal liens -- the most recent of which was filed earlier this month -- provide a window into the massive tax debts the firebrand activist incurred since 2002 as he remade himself into a millionaire media personality, newly released documents show.
Treasury Department officers say Sharpton owed $351,798 from 2007, according to a document filed March 3 with the New York County Register Office. This unpaid balance -- a potential mix of back taxes and penalties -- comes on top of a federal lien filed last Nov. 13 for $1,367,521 covering tax years 2005 and 2006.
All the liens are filed as "1040" or personal income tax and listed his address as 680 Madison Ave. -- the uber-swanky Helmsley Carlton House where Sharpton resides.
Last July, Sharpton cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Brooklyn to end a longstanding criminal probe of his finances that reportedly encompassed his personal fortune, his quixotic 2004 presidential campaign spending and the National Action Network, his advocacy group. Sharpton said he'd personally pay back $1 million, including $500,000 upfront, as part of the settlement. But, the liens show his debts ran much deeper.
"Rev. Al Sharpton is meeting his tax obligations with the IRS through an agreement that was completed in late summer of 2008. Since that time, he has made substantial payments and continues to do so. Any federal tax liens that have been filed are inclusive of all years included in the agreement. As those payments have been made, tax liens have been released," said longtime Sharpton attorney Michael Hardy.
So far, only two additional liens worth $90,753 were released since the settlement, records show. IRS protocol allows tax debtors to immediately remove paid debts from their record by calling a toll-free 800 number.
Liens, which are a claim on property to cover a debt, are the last step the IRS will take before seizing a debtor's assets. Sharpton also was hit with a $19,914 lien filed on Dec. 31, 2008, from unpaid taxes in 1996.
Meanwhile, Sharpton also owes the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which was not part of the July settlement, $884,669, according to two liens covering years 2002 through 2006. Hardy said those debts are being addressed.
Sharpton reportedly earns $750,000 a year hosting a syndicated radio talk show. He also collects anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 per lecture and $2,000 per church sermon. On top of that, Sharpton does "consulting" work for corporations.
#1
Jeezus Christ - if all the Dems would pay all the taxes they owe, neither the Feds nor the states would have any financial woes.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/29/2009 15:25 Comments ||
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#2
I must confess that I found the US tax code even more bizarre and byzantine than the German one and that's saying something.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
03/29/2009 16:11 Comments ||
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#3
No sh*t, EC. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/29/2009 16:24 Comments ||
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#4
$2,000 per church sermon...
Oh America...
Posted by: European Conservative ||
03/29/2009 18:55 Comments ||
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#5
I must confess that I found the US tax code even more bizarre and byzantine than the German one
The U.S. tax code is significantly more bizarre and byzantine than Germany's, European Conservative; but then, we've been working on this particular set of rules since, I belive, the first world war. When we lived in Germany, Mr. Wife's employer paid Deloitte & Touche to do our taxes for both countries; the German form was four or five pages long, while the American one required a 2" (5 cm) binder. Granted, we still haven't finalized what we owe to Germany because Germany hasn't yet finalized how Americans working there as expatriates are to be taxed... they've been working on it since 1947 or so, and there are occasional rumours that they're getting close, but these are Germans, so they will be meticulous and thorough in their decision-making, however long that takes.
As for the Reverand Sharpton, he is long overdue for a long vacation in prison. Hopefully this time someone will actually make it stick.
#6
The form may be easier, but it's not the form that matters.
Actually when you run a business in Germany, you are advised to cheat a little (just a little), because if the tax inspector doesn't find anything he'll get suspicious and will run through your declarations until he finds something, and that may take a while.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
03/29/2009 19:36 Comments ||
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#7
@tw
when did you file and did you ever hear back from German tax office?
Posted by: European Conservative ||
03/29/2009 19:38 Comments ||
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#8
As for the Reverand Sharpton, he is long overdue for a long vacation in prison.
Yes overdue but we probably won't see Rev. Al at the Graybar Hotel anytime soon TW.
when did you file and did you ever hear back from German tax office?
For tax years 1991-1995. In July, 1995 we moved to Brussels, and end-August 1996 we moved back to the US. Deloitte & Touche will keep our returns on file until Germany decides what to do, and then will inform us. I am under the impression that Mr. Wife's company will cover any taxes in excess of what was already paid... but at the rate this is being worked through over there, I expect it will be a problem for the trailing daughters, far in the future. We did pay our part of what D&T calculated was owed, the company paying the rest -- neither we nor the company would have been happy leaving that for the future, as it does so mess up the books to carry estimated expenses for years on end. To tell you the truth, if we could have figured out how to keep the German government from sending us a check after trailing daughter #2 was born on their soil, I would have been much happier, as we did not need that money and others did. But it was explained that it would cost the government more than the payment to fight our refusal, so we gave up. On the other hand, Mr. Wife secretly worked at home on the weekend, after being warned that if continued going to the office he would be hauled up before the Works Council for setting a bad example, so we hope his excess labour offset our cut from your taxes.
#11
"Mr. Wife secretly worked at home on the weekend, after being warned that if continued going to the office he would be hauled up before the Works Council for setting a bad example"
And they wonder why their economy sucks....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/29/2009 22:11 Comments ||
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"Tag briefs subhead large"? What is that? A Clinton telegram to Monica quoted in the Starr Report?
Meanwhile, from Canada's Sun Media: "Students Getting Message Across." They certainly are:
They're designed to scare off Canada not global warming experts. geese in Centennial Park proved
They're not in tight with David so realistic it prompted a police Suzuki.
takedown. And many probably don't have
City hall staff saw the animal Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" cutouts advertised and, hoping among their DVD collection. they might help reduce scat in
But that doesn't mean the students at Kate S. Durdan elementary school don't understand the importance of environmental sustainability.
Indeed. My own animal Al Gore cutouts certainly reduce scat, but fortunately without prompting a police Suzuki. Speaking just for myself, I'd really like to see someone market a line of cutouts that scare away global warming experts. The guy who comes up with that could takedown my Suzuki any time he wants to.
Posted by: Mike ||
03/29/2009 09:10 ||
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#1
I was going to say the coupon section, but since you can get better ones online....pretty much nuthin'.
#2
Very interesting article, Tipper, and thank you indeed. It's articles like that one that make me reconsider my now-cancelled subscription to the Atlantic.
I think Mr. Johnson makes the 'nationalize the banks' argument about as well as anyone can -- certainly better than Krugman. I don't know if Johnson is right; I'm not an international economist and I don't have his experience. I would like to see a well-written article that argues against this course of action. But with Johnson's article I now understand his side of the issue.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/29/2009 11:35 Comments ||
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#3
I quit reading when I got to.... "The government must."
#4
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."Thomas Jefferson, (Attributed)
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
#5
He didn't really make a nationalization argument. He made an audit and anti-trust argument. The Fed, FDIC and Comptroller of the Currency could easily implement this policy if they had the moral courage. The problem, as he states, is the moral rot that has permeated the elites who run the country. No one is really interested in doing their duty, they are interested in maximizing their wealth.
#6
I think he was also making the point that "too big to fail" is "too big to exist." Time not for FDR but TR--bust the trusts. (I skimmed along until page 4, I'll freely admit.)
#7
My only point of agreement with #3 and #4 is that I trust modern bankers even less than I trust my government. Is that quote from Jefferson for real, or an urban legend? Do you have a solution?
#8
Besoeker 2009, what do you call the National reserve if not a Government bank?
Re-Capitalization is the word, however, do you expect the government to be able to purge bad assets if they have not fixed the problem with them being forced in in the first place with the CRA and Freddie Mac - who just got a bonus for creating 6 Trillion of bad debt.
The answer is Cut DC off from all funding. Remove their lawmaking ability, and flog congress, senate, and the rest until they agree to do the right thing for ONCE. Why place banks in receivership into hands that are far more stupid - and who made the mess to start with?
Bottom line is you have no foundation at all anymore and may be easily washed up until you find someone in the administration that understands foundations. And none do - as they crumbled them for this very purpose. I just assume Build the new Capitol building and White house in Appalachia.
DC means nothing to anybody anymore. Let it burn .
#1
A reasoned and well written article. However, it doesn't say anything that hasn't already been said by Robert Spencer and others. Until, and unless, the vast majority of people wake up and smell the coffee; it (the Islamisation) of the Western culture(s) will continue unabated.
#2
Maybe the best way to counter this is to positively incorporate the religion in demands for religious primacy in government. Get conservatives to try and promote ALL religions in schools for example.
#3
The best way to counter this is to get the government out of education. Then people will return to religiously based educational institutions which are much more capable of combating Islam without involving the state. Once the Muslims get a toe-hold in the schools, we will have real problems.
#4
Once the Muslims get a toe-hold in the schools, we will have real problems.
But, but, but.... you mean only Muslims will want to go to that school, housing prices in the neighborhood will plummet, crime will increase, businesses will close, unemployment will rise, and they will begin electing themselves to local and national political offices?
The Islamic conquest of the East was many, many times as full of slaughter. The Communist oppression of Bhuddists today looks like a walk in the park compared to what happened back then and the extermination of Hindus was an order of magnitude worse than the extermination of Bhuddists.
#6
you mean only Muslims will want to go to that school, housing prices in the neighborhood will plummet, crime will increase, businesses will close, unemployment will rise, and they will begin electing themselves to local and national political offices?
No, I mean proselytization ending with forced conversion.
#7
No. Islam is not a religion. It is a political movement. You may stand before God as a descendant of Ishmael and claim Godly Charity, or as a descendant of Isac.
With the Taliban regaining strength and Osama bin Laden still on the loose, President Obama announced a new strategy Friday to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda" in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In addition to new funding for Pakistan's democratic institutions and more U.S. troops to train the Afghan security forces, here's another anti-terrorism tactic the president might consider: Make al-Qaeda boring.
In an essay in the April issue of the British magazine Prospect, Jamie Bartlett of the think tank Demos and McGill University psychologist Michael King contend that violent extremism often appeals to young Muslims because it seems to offer "adventure, excitement and notoriety." Puncturing this swashbuckling image is critical in the fight against terrorism, they say.
"Al-Qaeda allows a young nobody to become a heroic warrior; an Islamic James Bond," the authors write. They cite research showing that members of terrorist cells tend to be young men with little religious training beyond "a few cut-and-paste lines" of jihadi literature. The answer is to strip away the mystique and show that the life of an Islamic extremist "more like that of a petty criminal than a secret agent."
Bartlett and King offer an unorthodox solution: If you mock the extremists, their appeal will diminish. For example, the authors note approvingly that British satirist Chris Morris is planning a film on Islamic extremism.
American pranksters are on the case, too: U.S. Central Command has invited Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert to entertain U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf. The location, however, remains undisclosed. As Colbert put it on his show, "All I will say is that there will be sand, and people who wish we would leave."
#2
Oh, lord, I had a rant from the early days at the Daily Brief, on that very topic - that the way to combat Islamic fundamentalism was to mock them, loudly, repeatedly and upon every possible occasion. I personally think that Achmed the Dead Terrorist is a perfect example of this.
#3
OH, about f-in time. The Left could have done a bang-up job on this - they certainly spare no bile towards Christians. But no, they would prefer to ally with Islam and destroy the West.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
