That's how one of my readers reacted to my post, Horton: Big Mouth, Fat Wallet & Tax Liens. So yesterday, that's exactly what I did.
I told you that State Representative candidate Michael Horton, who is running against Justin Simmons, has had three tax liens in three different states. In Lehigh County, a Department of Revenue lien for $1,872 was filed in 2005, and paid in 2007. In California, there's a 2001 lien for $4,759 in back taxes. Another $1278 property tax lien was filed in Rhode Island in 2001. This VP of Fortune 500 companies also had a car repossessed in the '90s.
Rhode Island Lien: Horton wasn't ready for this one. He told me he's owned seven homes since 1991, and would never be able to qualify for a loan if his credit history were bad. But until very recently, banks were handing out mortgages to anyone, and judgments in one state could easily be overlooked in another, I countered. He really had no explanation for this lien, and suggested that it must have been his lender's mix-up or the result of a re-assessment. He noted that the address is 82 Wheeler Avenue, but he owned 82-84 Wheeler Avenue. He then scoffed at the $1278 amount. "Do you know how much money I was making at the time?" he asked. I don't, but pointed out that even wealthy people lose their homes if they don't pay their taxes.
California Liens: There are actually three liens in California, but two of them were filed erroneously. Horton insists that all three liens were filed in error and were the result of a rollover on which he paid taxes in Pennsylvania. He claimed to have evidence that all three liens were filed erroneously, and offered to fax the paperwork to me. His explanation seems reasonable.
Pennsylvania Lien: Horton claims this is the result of his divorce. and that everything has been settled for some time. Not quite. Late last year, Horton was cited for contempt when his wife's tax return was intercepted over unpaid federal income tax that they both owed. Horton was ordered to pay his ex-wife $900 per month for the next five months.
Repossessed car: Horton did buy a Lincoln Continental, and granted Air Products Credit Union a security interest in that car, along with an Oldsmobile. When he lost his job at Air Products, his loan was renegotiated, but he was still unable to make payments. As a result, the Lincoln was repossessed, but he was somehow able to sell the Olds without the knowledge or consent of the credit union.
Horton claims the Lincoln was a lemon.
Military Service: Horton is an '85 West Point grad, and did see combat in Central America in 1989. I have no reason to doubt that claim. He left the military a Captain after "6 years, 3 months and 11 days." He went to work for Air Products as a recruiter, and tells me they would never have hired him if he had a checkered military career. But he declined to produce his DD214, which would answer all questions about his military service He tells me he is a life member and "paid for life" member in the VFW and American Legion, and that status is only granted to people with an honorable discharge.
Roots: Horton grew up in Camden, Quakertown and Marlton, NJ.
Debate: Horton acknowledges he came on too strong during his Business Matter debate. He blames host Tony Iannelli, claiming he was encouraged to jump in and mix it up to make the show more interesting.
My conclusion? Horton likes to blame everyone else for his own problems.
In the meantime, House Dems have dropped another $31,000 for cable TV ads. This is on top of $57,000 worth of TV commercials on WFMZ.
19 comments:
at least you can track where Horton's support is coming from. Simmons' support seems to be shady special interests. That's scary.
the DD@!$ will only tell you the nature of his discharge: honorable, general, or dishonorable.
Are you suggesting Horton received a dishonorable discharge? To make matters rest, he should provide his military papers.
He got fired from Air Products? Don't see that on his website. Just mentions he worked there and quickly became a vice president. Why does he keep taking jobs that pay less then the one before? Somethings wrong with this guy.
"the DD@!$ will only tell you the nature of his discharge: honorable, general, or dishonorable."
They ysyally provide a lot more information than that. They often twll you where the soldier was assigned, what medals received, etc.
I am not suggesting that Hrton was anything but an exemplary soldier. I just like to see proof, especially with his history.
I am not suggesting that Hrton was anything but an exemplary soldier. I just like to see proof, especially with his history.
9:21 AM
Thank you for explaining this. No one wants to state something wrong about one's military service. It wouldn't hurt Horton to now reveal his discharge papers. A few candidates this year have had military claim issues. If Horton revealed his discharge information, it sure would clear the air. Maybe he's reading this blog and will post the information.
Anonymous said...
at least you can track where Horton's support is coming from. Simmons' support seems to be shady special interests. That's scary.
6:32 AM
Do you mean Simmons doesn't reveal his donations? Thought all candidates were required to.
It takes some class for Horton to admit he came on too strong.
It takes class to sit there and let someone yell at you and instead of yelling back you try to talk about the issues. Did they stop teaching manors at West Point? Did he not take an etiquette class when he was a fortune 500 VP? Or is he a fraud? Simmons looked like the adult in this debate.
Leaving tax debt all over the country while spouting about how honorable one is classless and dishonorable. What a disgrace.
Bernie--you're too hard on Horton. It's obvious you like Simmons (though I'm not sure what there is to like about a 24 year old wannabe career politician). I saw the negative and personal attacks he levied against Karen Beyer. Republicans don't do that to each other. That's why I won't vote for him.
Joe Sterns: You are a scumbag. We hate you in Schuylkill County. You will get yours. I am a committeeperson. Poor Dave Argall! Illegal campaign contributions, and Joe Sterns is anyone surprised? They profess to be for the constitution yet they hide money. Liar, Liar, pants on fire!
I am so glad we are keeping things about the issues and not getting into the politics of personal destruction.
I am sorry but since when is it bad for parents to support their son? Maybe your parents should have hugged you more or something. You people really need to grow up. Not one post about the issues which is the economy and jobs.
"Bernie--you're too hard on Horton. It's obvious you like Simmons (though I'm not sure what there is to like about a 24 year old wannabe career politician). I saw the negative and personal attacks he levied against Karen Beyer. Republicans don't do that to each other. That's why I won't vote for him."
How can you call him a career politician if pledged to only serve three terms and not accept the pension or per diems? Maybe you confused him with Beyer who accepted all of those things. Also what personal attacks did he do to Beyer? Accepting per diems and state car or using the per diems to buy a house in Harrisburg? Those all sound like legitimate issues to me.
"Bernie--you're too hard on Horton."
Maybe.
Anon 7:16, Grow up!
If anyone knows what units Horton served with, let me know, I can track down those who served under him and get their viewpoints, good and bad.
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