Kerry: Teresa's Tax Returns Still Top Secret

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/18/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry continues to stonewall on requests for his wife, Teresa Heinz, to release her tax returns, insisting on Sunday that since the law doesn't require her to do so, they would remain top secret.

"My wife is doing exactly what the law requires," Kerry told NBC's "Meet the Press." "I mean, we have laws in America, and the law requires that the candidate release their tax returns," but not the spouse.

Mrs. Heinz-Kerry has assets and holdings valued at somewhere between $550 million and $700 million, but her annual income and the amount of taxes she pays are not known.

Kerry insisted that most of his wife's financial information has already been made public, telling "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert: "If you want to see what my wife's holdings are, plenty of people have, you can go to our Senate ethics forums. It shows you almost entirely what we have. It's very, very, very intrusive."

Kerry was apparently referring to the financial disclosure forms he's required by law to file with the Senate, which detail, among other things, the couple's joint holdings.

One potential sticking point: Kerry has claimed half ownership of the couple's Boston townhouse, taking out a $6.4 million mortgage on his half in December 2003 to shore up his then-flagging presidential bid.

However, the Heinz-Kerrys' Boston property was nowhere to be found among the joint holdings listed in Kerry's most recent financial disclosure forms, the New York Sun reported on Thursday.

[anniegetyourgun]

One potential sticking point: Kerry has claimed half ownership of the couple's Boston townhouse, taking out a $6.4 million mortgage on his half in December 2003 to shore up his then-flagging presidential bid. However, the Heinz-Kerrys' Boston property was nowhere to be found among the joint holdings listed in Kerry's most recent financial disclosure forms...

Well, well....

[Smartass]

[bogdanPolska12]

He said "My wife is doing exactly what the law requires," then what's the problem then? Why can she tell us what she is doing. I know Kerry, you are such a woosp man.

[BunnySlippers]

Go gettum ...

[Paladin2]

No governing legal, moral, or political authority!

[kdot]

Disclosure is required for transparency. But if a candidate/president can hide graft in his wife's bank account and taxes, then transparency is a joke.

[Fixit]

"My wife is doing exactly what the law requires"

Let's make this a bit more accurate.

"My wife is doing the absolute minimum that the law requires"

I wonder if there is any chance that the $6MM dollar loan, against property 'effin never disclosed that he owned, story will actually get traction.

[LisaMalia]

C'mon TerYaySa....fess up!!

P.S. Would love to hear your voice someday. I imagine you have a lovely accent. Why haven't I ever heard you speak on tv?

[Captain Peter Blood]

I amnot sure there is any Law requiring a candidate to realese his tax returns. They do have to file with FEC on their holdings and assets. Anyone know the law on this??

[MediaMole]

"My wife is doing the bare minimum exactly what the law requires," Kerry told NBC's "Meet the Press.

Whatever happened to the old democratic mantra, "the appearance of impropriety?"

[GOPrincess]

So if Kerry didn't own the property, is Teresa allowed to *give* him the money outright from a mortgage on that property, if indeed the property was mortgaged? Or would that violate campaign financing laws? There aren't exceptions for spouses to contribute unlimited amounts of money held solely in the spouses' names, are there?

[BobS]

I'd like to see the wacko leftist causes the old girl supports.

[per loin]

How's that old line go? "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."

[mean lunch lady]

How's that old line go? "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."
I think they are going by the "Golden Rule" - she who has the gold makes the rules.

[ken5050]

WE need to start a pool..guess the date that the returns are released, because they will come out....

[The Great RJ]

No question she is the source of Mr. Kerry's wealth. However, I think more needs to be done to investigate likely illegal contributions to the Kerry campaign by groups funded in whole or part by Heinz foundations under Mrs. Kerry's control.

[anniegetyourgun]

I think you are right about only FEC filings required of candidates, though I am no expert. However, if he becomes prez (God forbid it), their return will have to be made public - ALL of their dirty laundry will have to be aired. But then, if and when that happens, only Newsmax.com will report on it.

[anniegetyourgun]

No...the whole thing on that property and this revelation stinks to high heaven. I would think that the FEC would be interested in checking into it.

[CFC__VRWC]

"My wife is doing exactly what the law requires," Kerry told NBC's "Meet the Press." "I mean, we have laws in America, and the law requires that the candidate release their tax returns," but not the spouse.

And that right there may well be the last we hear about this issue. We'll make some noise about it here on FR, and Rush and Sean will probably continue to push it. And we should - maybe we can put some legs on this story, but it's going to be a very tough uphill climb to do so. I'd expect a testy New York Times editorial in the next few days that basically echoes what Kerry said on MTP, and then savages the Republicans for playing politics with people's personal lives (or some such similar bilge).