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Home Front: Politix
PR push may save Geithner
2009-01-14
Democratic and Republican senators say a full-court press by Barack Obama's transition team is likely to keep ethical questions from sinking the nomination of Treasury Secretary-designee Timothy Geithner.

As Obama pressed senators on his economic recovery plan Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Geithner had failed to pay $42,000 in taxes and had employed a housekeeper whose work permit had expired.

But minutes after the news broke, the Obama transition team pushed back with talking points -- distributed to Capitol Hill, K Street and congressional reporters -- in which it portrayed the problems as simple mistakes or oversights.
It's a simple mistake if I'm allowed to get away with it ...
The talking points noted that Geithner had paid off all of his back taxes -- although nearly $26,000 of them weren't paid until November, just before his nomination went to the Senate Finance Committee for official review. The talking points also said that the legal status of Geithner's former housekeeper didn't lapse until the last three months of her employment.
Posted by:Fred

#5  Which simply means the bastards knew all about it and had the corrective action plan defensive plan already in place. Certainly speaks highly of them I'd say

According to Wall Street Journal:

In 2006, the IRS audited Mr. Geithner's 2003 and 2004 taxes and concluded he owed taxes and interest totaling $17,230, according to documents released by the Senate Finance Committee. The IRS waived the related penalties.

During the vetting of Mr. Geithner late last year, the Obama transition team discovered the nominee had failed to pay the same taxes for 2001 and 2002. "Upon learning of this error on Nov. 21, 2008, Mr. Geithner immediately submitted payment for tax that would have been due in those years, plus interest," a transition aide said. The sum totaled $25,970.

Other tax issues also surfaced during the vetting, including the fact Mr. Geithner used his child's time at overnight camps in 2001, 2004 and 2005 to calculate dependent-care tax deductions. Sleepaway camps don't qualify.
Posted by: Pappy   2009-01-14 22:05  

#4  tu,
You can forget to pay your taxes, but the IRS won't forget to penalize and charge interest for any gaps in payment.
Posted by: Capsu 78   2009-01-14 18:48  

#3  Another "Wired" BHO appointment.
This guy didn't know the rules/law?, thus he should be disqualified for such a position OR he "avoided" paying his taxes, thus a "Liar/ Cheater" / he fits right in with "The One"
Posted by: Tom- Pa   2009-01-14 18:24  

#2  Can I "forget" to pay my taxes?
Posted by: tu3031   2009-01-14 15:03  

#1  But minutes after the news broke, the Obama transition team pushed back with talking points

Which simply means the bastards knew all about it and had the corrective action plan defensive plan already in place. Certainly speaks highly of them I'd say.
Posted by: Besoeker   2009-01-14 14:57  

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