Group: Rep. Scott one of “most corrupt”

By Staff, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Blog

September 18, 2007

Rep. David Scott, an Atlanta Democrat, today was named one the 25 most “corrupt members of Congress” by a ethical watchdog group that cited, among other charges, Scott’s failure to pay taxes on time and the mingling of his personal business interests and his campaign finances.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) made the charge in a report Here CREW said “documents the egregious, unethical and possibly illegal activities of the most tainted members of Congress.”

Citing news reports and Scott’s campaign-finance records, CREW said Scott’s family advertising business, Dayn-Mark, failed to pay $154,000 in payroll taxes on time and $4,600 in local and state taxes since 1998. Scott also was late in paying $23,200 in property taxes on his home.

CREW questioned campaign payments to members of Scott’s family that the FEC records indicate were reimbursements for office supplies and other items. The group also cited a former Scott aide’s claim that Scott used House office staff for campaign work.

“It has become abundantly clear that many public officials believe that the rules don’t apply to them,” CREW Executive Director Melani Sloan said in a statement.

Michael Andel, Scott’s spokesman, called the report “ridiculous” and “untruthful.”

“It’s unfortunate that they didn’t come in an talk to us before they did their little report, because there are a lot of inaccuracies here.” Andel said. Incidents cited in the report are either false or have already been addressed, including the full payment of Scott’s back taxes, Andel said.

The damaging information on which stories about Scott’s campaign finances were based was distributed by Republicans looking to weaken Scott in next year’s election, he said.

Scott has said the late payments were due to his wife’s failure to pay them on time. Alfredia Scott accepted that responsibility in an earlier interview.