IRS Wants Rinehart Fined, Jailed
By Jay F. Marks/The Oklahoman ~ Attorneys for the Internal Revenue Service want Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart's money and his freedom for failing to cooperate in an ongoing investigation.
They are asking a federal judge in Oklahoma City to hold Rinehart in civil contempt of court because he has not complied with a Jan. 25 order to provide documents and testimony in the probe, which began in November 2006.
The IRS wants Rinehart — who maintains he has produced everything requested of him — to be fined for each day he does not turn over the documents sought by investigators, according to court papers. The agency also is asking the judge to jail Rinehart until he turns over corporate records for his heating and air conditioning company.
U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton has set a July 31 hearing to consider the contempt issue.
Rinehart had argued he should not have to answer IRS agent's questions because his answers might incriminate him. He is awaiting trial in Oklahoma County District Court on campaign finance charges.
Heaton ordered Rinehart to cooperate with the IRS in January, but he acknowledged some questions might affect his criminal case.
The IRS is looking into tax records for Rinehart and his company, Unta Bent Inc., from 2003 to 2005. One of those seeking to replace Rinehart, Republican Brian Maughan, said today that, “The latest news of the IRS seeking imprisonment of Brent Rinehart is continuing to erode the public trust. With three court dates this month alone regarding separate trials, Mr. Rinehart cannot possibly be focused on the people’s business while doing everything he can to stay out of jail and also running a reelection campaign. If Mr. Rinehart should be reelected and then found to be guilty it will cost nearly $200,000 to hold a special election to replace him. Brent Rinehart should do the right thing and step down as County Commissioner so that others can attend to the work of Oklahoma County.”
They are asking a federal judge in Oklahoma City to hold Rinehart in civil contempt of court because he has not complied with a Jan. 25 order to provide documents and testimony in the probe, which began in November 2006.
The IRS wants Rinehart — who maintains he has produced everything requested of him — to be fined for each day he does not turn over the documents sought by investigators, according to court papers. The agency also is asking the judge to jail Rinehart until he turns over corporate records for his heating and air conditioning company.
U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton has set a July 31 hearing to consider the contempt issue.
Rinehart had argued he should not have to answer IRS agent's questions because his answers might incriminate him. He is awaiting trial in Oklahoma County District Court on campaign finance charges.
Heaton ordered Rinehart to cooperate with the IRS in January, but he acknowledged some questions might affect his criminal case.
The IRS is looking into tax records for Rinehart and his company, Unta Bent Inc., from 2003 to 2005. One of those seeking to replace Rinehart, Republican Brian Maughan, said today that, “The latest news of the IRS seeking imprisonment of Brent Rinehart is continuing to erode the public trust. With three court dates this month alone regarding separate trials, Mr. Rinehart cannot possibly be focused on the people’s business while doing everything he can to stay out of jail and also running a reelection campaign. If Mr. Rinehart should be reelected and then found to be guilty it will cost nearly $200,000 to hold a special election to replace him. Brent Rinehart should do the right thing and step down as County Commissioner so that others can attend to the work of Oklahoma County.”
Labels: Brent Rinehart, Brian Maughan
posted by Mike McCarville @ 7:57 AM
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