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Al Franken to Cough Up $70K in Back Taxes

Tax issue rattles comedian's Senate campaign

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – Funnyman-turned-Democratic candidate Al Franken has announced he'll pay up $70,000 in back taxes to 17 states, AP reports. Franken blamed the backlog on bad advice from his accountant. Most of the income at issue was from speeches and other appearances dating back to 2003. The tax issue has sidetracked Franken's Minnesota Senate campaign, and the state's Republican Party has been quick to pounce.

 

U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken speaks during a picnic for Democrats in Edina, Minn., in this July 21, 2007 file photo.
U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken speaks during a picnic for Democrats in Edina, Minn., in this July 21, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
Comedian Al Franken is shown on his radio show, Air America, in this Feb. 14, 2007, file photo in Minneapolis where he announced he would run for U.S. Senate in 2008.
Comedian Al Franken is shown on his radio show, Air America, in this Feb. 14, 2007, file photo in Minneapolis where he announced he would run for U.S. Senate in 2008.   (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, Pool)
U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken applauds one of his campaign workers at an open house for his campaign headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, July 21, 2007.
U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken applauds one of his campaign workers at an open house for his campaign headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, July 21, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
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