New Allegations of $16 Million Tax Evasion by Congressman Vern Buchanan Up the Ante to Publicly Release His Tax Returns

Press Release

On Tuesday, WTSP 10 News reported that Congressman Vern Buchanan's former Chief Financial Officer "testified that he told Buchanan the IRS could argue he was violating the integrity of the S Corporation and should have paid $16,000,000 in taxes" after selling several auto dealerships.

"Trust in Congress is at an all-time low. Anyone who wants to serve the Suncoast as its representative owes our citizens total transparency," said Keith Fitzgerald. "If these accusations of tax evasion are erroneous, then Congressman Buchanan should have nothing to hide and release his tax returns immediately to restore the public trust."

On April 19th, Keith Fitzgerald challenged Congressman Vern Buchanan to release his 2011 tax returns, but Representative Buchanan has only "dismissed" releasing his returns. Keith Fitzgerald's tax returns, on the other hand, are posted on his campaign website.

Keith Fitzgerald is a long time reformer for open government. As representative in the Florida House, Fitzgerald proposed legislation to bring more transparency and openness to government in Tallahassee. The Bradenton Herald wrote that Fitzgerald was "well known for his integrity and resistance to special interests."

"In light of Tuesday's story and allegation of $16,000,000 in tax evasion, Representative Vern Buchanan, a sitting as a member of the tax-writing committee who is under a dark cloud of suspicion due to IRS and House Ethics Committee inquiries, owes his constituents complete honesty and transparency and should release his tax returns today," said Keith Fitzgerald.

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