Tampabay.com
AUGUST 24, 2009

IRS complaint filed against Sansom

IRS An anonymous person has filed out an IRS complaint form against Rep. Ray Sansom, alleging he failed to pay taxes on personal items bought with his Republican Party-issued American Express.

The complaint cites a Times/Herald story detailing Sansom's use of the card on clothing and plane tickets for his family as part of an overall $173,000 bill he racked up over two years.

"Because the party refuses to  disclose who else has such credit cards and what these other Party leaders have purchases, I believe the fraud may extend beyond Sansom," the complaint reads. "Other Party officials including Chairman Jim Greer, Senator Jeff Atwater and Senator Mike Haridopolos are known to have had such credit cards."

We reported yesterday that Republican Party of Florida contribution records do not show Sansom reimbursed the party for any of his expenses. But it's not clear whether he declared any additional income on his tax forms.

The complaint was sent anonymously to the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau today. An IRS spokesman, Mike Dobzinski, said the agency does not confirm or deny investigations. He confirmed that a person filling out a form 3949 A can remain anonymous. "Generally speaking, getting something for nothing could have a tax effect," Dobzinski said.

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