Yes, I'm one of those opponents who wanted to see Sharpton perp walked for avoiding paying taxes for years, but that he's got to pay up his tax bill of upwards of $1 million isn't a laughing matter.
The man and his organizations failed to report and pay taxes over a period of years. That's a federal and state crime, punishable by jail time. His agreement to pay the back taxes and interest to the federal and state governments is a tacit admission that he failed in his basic obligations to report and pay those taxes, so that however the Daily News wants to spin this, the government got what was due, without an expensive trial and accompanying circus.
Prosecutors would not comment, but law enforcement sources confirmed that the criminal probe is over.
Bottom line: Sharpton gets a huge, hearty laugh at the expense of his large and vocal chorus of critics and accusers.
And a dozen current and former aides to Sharpton who got slapped with subpoenas - some at 6 a.m. - can now breathe easy.
While all criminal investigations are over, Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) have agreed to a tax settlement of between $2 million and $9 million.
Prosecutors turned the matter over to the IRS, which is still calculating what it believes Sharpton and his organization owe. The government has agreed to let Sharpton pay it off over a period of months or years.
"According to the government, Rev. Sharpton individually owed in excess of $1 million and NAN owed in excess of $1 million, over 50% of which was penalties in both cases," said Michael Hardy, Sharpton's longtime lawyer.
Legal bills related to the long-running case total another $2 million, Hardy said.
"Rev. Sharpton, his business entities and NAN have already deposited a substantial sum as an initial payment of these outstanding federal tax obligations," said
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