On
September 28, 2008, the Times reported in detail about McCain's gambling activities in Las Vegas. For instance, they report the following:
In May 2007, as Mr. McCain’s presidential bid was floundering, he spent a weekend at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip. A fund-raiser hosted by J. Terrence Lanni, the casino’s top executive and a longtime friend of the senator, raised $400,000 for his campaign. Afterward, Mr. McCain attended a boxing match and hit the craps tables.
(The article requires registration to read. Please read the whole thing. It convincingly depicts McCain as unethical and corrupt.)
Assuming that McCain didn't lose every time he played (as often as once a month, according to the Times), he should have had some winnings. The
IRS requires that gambling winnings be reported. Losses can then be deducted, but only up to the amount of winnings. Even if you came out behind -- as the odds require in the long run -- you still have to report your winnings.
But McCain's
2006 and 2007 tax returns show no gambling activity whatsoever.
Why did McCain fail to report his gambling winnings to the IRS?
Similarly, Sarah Palin received per diem payments that were not tax deductable, but in any case failed to report that income to the IRS.
According to
National Public Radio, Palin chose to work at a state office in Anchorage rather than in Juneau. The Anchorage office was 45 miles away from her home. well within commuting distance. While the expense of her commute may be deductible, she would still have to report those expenses. However, Palin received on average $890 per month in per diem expenses for living at home and working in the state office in Anchorage, and did not report the per diem to the IRS.
McCain's and Palin's criminal acts should be investigated and, if substantiated, they should be prosecuted.
--
David Dickinson
posted by EveningStarNM 
