Monday, August 4, 2014

Is Sharpton's Race Card finally overdrawn?

N.Y. Post: Sharpton, businesses owe $4.7 million in tax debt

By Nina Schutzman Aug. 3, 2014, Poughkeepsie Journal

The Rev. Al Sharpton, along with his nonprofit National Action Network and two for-profit firms, have $4.7 million in outstanding debt and liens, according to federal and state tax records, the New York Post reported on Sunday.

Among the debts include $806,875 that Sharpton owes the state, along with $2.6 million in federal liens against him for unpaid personal income taxes, the Post stated.

Recent filings showed the National Action Network owed $813,576 to the federal government at the end of 2012, and his company Rev-Al Communications owes $447,826 to the state, while the Bo-Spanky Consulting firm has $18.21 in outstanding debt, according to the Post.

Sharpton told the Post he's paying down the debts according to negotiated agreements.

"It's significantly less. It's nowhere near the millions of dollars. We have totally lived up to our agreement with them," Sharpton the Post. "It's being paid down."

In 1987, the controversial preacher stood by then-15-year-old Wappingers Falls resident Tawana Brawley's side after she was found in a trash bag, covered in feces and racial slurs.

She claimed she was abducted and raped by a group of white men, among them Steven Pagones, who was a prosecutor with the Dutchess County's District Attorney's Office.

The fact that Sharpton is given any credibility is "despicable," Pagones said to the Poughkeepsie Journal on Sunday evening. "The guy has caused so many problems and so much racial tension in the past. I don't understand how people, politicians can afford him the credibility."

Lacking physical evidence or eyewitnesses, Sharpton repeatedly identified Pagones as Brawley's attacker, according to Journal archives. A specially impaneled grand jury, called by then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, determined Brawley's story was phony.

That case brought national media attention and racial tension to Dutchess County.

Pagones sued Brawley, Sharpton and others for defamation in 1998.

The jury awarded Pagones $345,000, including $65,000 from Sharpton for making seven defamatory statements. The reverend's friends and supporters like lawyer Johnnie Cochran Jr. and businessman Percy Sutton covered the debt.


Read the full story:  www.poughkeepsiejournal.com

Follow Larry Elder on Twitter
"Like" Larry Elder on Facebook

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comment Policy:

The author of this blog will attempt to engage in conversation via the comments section whenever possible and recognize the 24/7 nature of the internet. Moderating and posting of comments will occur during regular operational hours Monday through Friday. Comments submitted after hours or on weekends will be read and posted as early as possible, however admins and/or the author is unable to commit to replying to every comment posted.

This is a moderated blog. That means all comments will be reviewed before posting. In addition, it is expected that participants will treat each other, as well as the author and admin, with respect. Comments that contain vulgar or abusive language; personal attacks of any kind will not be posted. Comments that are spam or that promote services or products will not be posted. It is requested that all comments remain on topic.

The Elder Statement blog does not guarantee or warrant that any information posted by individuals on this blog is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. The Elder Statement blog may not be able to verify, does not warrant or guarantee, and assumes no liability for anything posted on this website by any other person. The Elder Statement blog does not endorse, support or otherwise promote any private or commercial entity or the information, products or services contained on those Web sites that may be reached through links on our Web site.

To protect individual privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include phone numbers, addresses or email details in the body of a comment. Such information will result in removal of a comment.

Thank you for your attention.

The Elder Statement