BaltCo Council hopeful Harden had tax trouble
Democratic Baltimore County Council candidate Gordon Harden acknowledged Tuesday that he didn’t pay state and federal income taxes between 1997 and 2005, troubles that led to heavy government penalties.
Harden said his taxes were about 25 to 30 percent of the $144,000 that he eventually paid. The remaining amount was interest and penalties. Harden said a rough divorce left him in serious financial straits with three children to raise on his own. The news website Lutherville-Timonium Patch reported the troubles, which led to multiple tax liens on his property.
“I didn’t pay taxes so I could pay my kids’ tuition and keep my people working,” said Harden, who owned a Nationwide Insurance agency in Owings Mills before retiring earlier this year. “I thought that financially things would get better but they didn’t for three or four years. It was a horrible time. I never thought it would get so bad.”
Harden, of Towson, said he had limited options.
“I would’ve had to tell my kids that they couldn’t go to college. This was the only way I could get them there,” he said. Two of his three children graduated from college.
Harden said he has put the matter behind him – all taxes were paid off in 2006 – but he would have done it again for his children.
“I didn’t live my life planning to run for office,” he said. “If I’d planned to run for office, I’d have kept myself looking real good and let my kids worry about their own lives.”
He stressed that his personal financial issues never impacted his ability to serve on the Planning Board, where he worked on 13 capital budgets. Harden said it was easy to stick to the county’s conservative fiscal management philosophy given what he was dealing with in his personal life.
“I had to live very fiscally conservative and the person who got hurt most in the whole thing was me,” Harden said. “I had employees, children, rent, expenses. … Everything and the government got paid.”
Comments
"Tax problems"? That is a fairly large understatement. The man didn't pay his taxes, or his bills, during a 15-year period.
Yet County Executive Jim Smith -- a former judge -- had the gall to endorse him, hailing his "fiscal responsibility."
What is wrong with our county???
This video about Mr. Harden's "tax problems" says a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih9V_zrU1Fo
Posted by: David R. | September 7, 2010 9:54 PM
Fantastic! Mr. Harden has my vote!
I'm sure he'll understand, when he's on the council, that I have more important things to do with my money than pay my property taxes, personal property taxes, piggyback tax, recordation fees, and other county taxes.
You know, I haven't lived my life planning to run for public office. And I have employees, children, rent, and expenses. Baltimore County can apparently do without my tax revenue for eight years.
Posted by: jjjackson | September 7, 2010 10:55 PM
Unreal. One candidate doesn't live in the district. Another doesn't pay his taxes or bills. How are they even allowed to run for office. What is wrong with this country?
Posted by: Andy M. | September 8, 2010 9:26 AM
Baltimore County's 5th is the home of the scoundrels. Paulshock doesn't really live here, so he's ineligible. But they let it go. Ertel pushed for a private pool on public land. But they let it go. Harden has information, that if it were on YOUR credit report, you wouldn't be able to get a job flipping burgers, buy a car, a home. But they let it go.
Thank you Jim Smith.
Posted by: Bella | September 8, 2010 10:49 AM
Bella -
I think there's a substantive difference between lying about where you live, not paying state or federal income tax, and spearheading a campaign for a *community* pool on *surplus* county land that nobody else bothered to bid on. Not ALL of the candidates are shysters....only two of them.
Posted by: susan | September 8, 2010 5:32 PM
Your head line could have just as accurately read "Harden paid all of his taxes plus penalties and interest in spite of difficulties".
If he gets the votes of everyone in his district who has had a tax problem and messy divorce he will win easily!
We need someone who has met his family and payroll obligations, overcome adversity and understands the frustrations of dealing with bureaucracy.
In stark contrast, I wasted my time viewing the childish You Tube videos of Harden's opponent. They reminded me of the teacher's pet who told on his classmates. We don't need another feminized male on the county council.
This stuff has been a matter of public record for years and is no big deal.
Posted by: Tony | September 9, 2010 12:25 AM
He fits right into the Democrat tax cheat party with Geithner and the rest!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 9, 2010 8:47 AM
“I would’ve had to tell my kids that they couldn’t go to college?" Boo F'n Hoo. Ever hear of student loans or working a job while going to college. Unbelievable that this tax cheat is even allowed to run.
Posted by: Mike S | September 9, 2010 1:06 PM
Our kids went to a faith based private school and have now finished college with not a cent of student loans or financial aid.
Mom was a teacher and dad was a cop. Let me check...yep, taxes all paid!!
What a lame brain excuse for someone who wants to watch over our money. There are no words to describe the arrogance of this guy.
Posted by: Dave in PI | September 9, 2010 2:07 PM
Tony: Personal attacks are a sign that you have nothing left to debate and have lost the argument.
Posted by: PaulTowson | September 9, 2010 3:00 PM