Records show tax problems for nine state legislative candidates

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Records show nine state legislative candidates up for election Nov. 2 have had federal or state tax problems. <br/><br/>Some still owe thousands of dollars. <br/><br/>They include

Monday, October 11th 2004, 5:53 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Records show nine state legislative candidates up for election Nov. 2 have had federal or state tax problems.

Some still owe thousands of dollars.

They include state Senate candidate Penny Kampf, a Muskogee Republican running for the Senate in District 9, who with her husband is paying off overdue taxes in monthly installments.

``I don't see that as being a negative toward me serving our state,'' Kampf said. ``If anything, I think I understand what it's like to have to work hard and ... what amount of taxes Oklahomans have to pay.''

The Internal Revenue Service, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission file liens or warrants when taxes are overdue or in dispute.

Liens are released after the taxes are paid or the disputes are resolved.

Some candidates said they were unaware of the notices against them.

The Oklahoman reviewed public records dating back a decade for tax liens or warrants against any legislative candidate on the Nov. 2 ballots.

``I think we all have struggled with taxes in some shape, form or fashion. ... I don't see that as a major factor in this race,'' said Harold Roberts, a House candidate.

Records show the stiffest lien was filed against Randy Bass, a Lawton Democrat who is running for the Senate in District 32.

He once was listed on a federal tax lien as owing $437,248. The lien was released in 1996.

``We agreed on an amount,'' he said. ``I paid them off and wrote them a check and it was over with. It was less than that.''

Bass played professional baseball in Japan for years. He said confusion arose over how much he owed in federal taxes because he was playing and living in Japan.

Bass, a Lawton city council member, also is listed as owing some money on a $4,666 state tax warrant, records show. He said the 1995 warrant involved his brother's failed steakhouse.

Kampf and her husband, a chiropractor, are listed as having $25,248 in state and federal tax notices.

Susan Custer, a Cushing Democrat, once faced $46,333 in state and federal tax liens. She is running for the House District 33 seat.

``The liens were on some taxes that my husband did not pay,'' Custer said.

John P. Morgan and his law practice are listed as owing $8,475 in state withholding taxes, penalties and interest.

The warrant was filed Thursday.

Morgan, an Oklahoma City Democrat, is running for the House in District 87. He said state officials have made a mistake.

Bryan Carlile, an Edmond Democrat, had a $578 warrant filed against him in 1995 over car taxes. He was released from the warrant in 2000 after paying.

Carlile is running for the House District 81 seat.

Rep. Lance Cargill, an attorney, paid off a $174 warrant over unemployment compensation taxes last week. Cargill, R-Harrah, is running for re-election in House District 96.

He said the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission sent the notice to the wrong address.

He also said he was improperly assessed taxes for times he didn't actually have employees at his business.

``I pay under protest ... and (will) work with the state to try to clear that up,'' Cargill said.

Harold Roberts is listed on a 1997 warrant as owing $521 in car taxes and penalties. Roberts, an Oklahoma City Republican, is running for the House in District 97.

``I was unaware of it,'' he said. ``I'll pay it. I'll pay it right away.''

Sharla Walker and Sharla's Soul Food are listed on a 2004 warrant as owing $250 in state unemployment compensation taxes.

Walker, a Tulsa Republican, is running for the House District 73 seat.

She said she did not know about the warrant.

``I just worked there,'' she said. ``I never owned the business.''

Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, had a $3,027 state tax warrant in 1997. It was filed and released the same month. He is running for re-election in District 44.

Nations, a retired dentist, said he didn't specifically remember the warrant, but suggested he probably had argued with the state over taxes after selling his practice.