Rinehart Ordered To Surrender Records

U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton today ordered Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart to surrender any 2003 tax records for his Unta Bent Inc. to federal investigators by August 11 or submit a sworn statement indicating that the requested documents do not exist or are in the hands of another government agency.

Heaton said he would find Rinehart in civil contempt of court, as requested by government attorneys, if a report due August 15 indicates he does not comply with today's order.

Rinehart, defeated Tuesday in his attempt to win a second term, has been under investigation by the IRS since November 2006. He also faces trial on campaign finance charges.

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Coburn Rips IRS Check's-in-the-mail Letter

Senator Tom Coburn today expressed his frustration with a reported Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plan to waste $42 million in taxpayer dollars to tell individuals they might receive an economic stimulus check.

Coburn’s comments come after reports that the IRS will spend nearly $42 million to send a single letter to individuals who filed a tax return and may receive a tax rebate check from the federal government.

“There is no need to spend $42 million on a letter to tell individuals they will be receiving a check from the federal government. Perhaps the IRS should also inform taxpayers of their share of the $9 trillion national debt, which as of today is more than $30,000 per American. Congress should be ashamed of itself for approving a ‘stimulus’ bill that included funding for this wasteful mailing. The IRS should instead ask Congress for permission to use this funding to crack down on fraud and close the tax gap,” said Coburn.

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