Senator (retired) Tom Daschle was on a fast track for confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Service (and to be a sort of health care reform czar) when his tax returns jumped up and bit him.
Daschle was working as a $1M a year "consultant" to a media private equity fund run by his friend, and receiving free car service, a very substantial benefit in Manhattan's gridlock.
Reports say on one return Daschle forgot an $89k consulting payment, as it was excluded from his Form 1099 (how does an accountant not multiply 89 x 12?).
The Daschle's paid the back taxes this year with interest, but are also reported beneficiaries of a special influential insider penalty waiver by the IRS (how sweet).
Time will tell.
UPDATE: The Daschles may have to re-amend their tax returns. Developing....
In other (better) news.....
Professor David Cutler of Harvard, an influential voice in health care reform discussions, has been selected to serve as a health care advisor to President Obama.
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