Feds Probe Al for $1.5M in Back Taxes

Washington is investigating Al Sharpton and his companies for nearly $1.5 million in back taxes and penalties, the AP reports. Sharpton, who has been negotiating the size of his federal debt, brushed off the government's latest move today. “Whatever retaliation they do on me, we never stop," the civil rights agitator said. "I think that that is why they try to intimidate us."

Sharpton's tax problems stemmed from his growing popularity and increasing income, the chief of his non-profit group said. "The infrastructure was trying to keep up with that pace, and it was not a perfect fit," he said. "But nothing was going on that was untoward." Sharpton led protests this week that closed six New York tunnels and bridges and landed him in jail for a few hours. (More Al Sharpton stories.)