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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEric Boehlert: We still don't know who paid Kavanaugh's $92,000 country club fee
We still dont know who paid Kavanaughs $92,000 country club fee
An incurious press
Eric Boehlert
By joining his fellow conservatives on the Supreme Court in declining to block one of the countrys most restrictive abortion laws, a Texas statute that bans the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy, Justice Brett Kavanaugh made good on his unspoken pledge to demolish Roe v. Wade. Kavanaughs actions could change the fabric of this country for decades, and empower radicals within the Republican Party to strip away more rights of Americans.
Against that dystopian backdrop lets not forget two crucial historic facts. Kavanaugh lied his way through his confirmation hearings. Facing multiple and credible allegations of sexual assault, Kavanaugh lied about witnesses; he lied about corroboration; he lied about friendships; he lied about parties. He also lied about an array of other topics, including state drinking ages, vomiting, his yearbook, and his accusers. Kavanaugh lied about his grandfather, federal judges, warrantless wiretaps, and stolen emails.
Second, some deep-pocketed patron, or patrons, over the years have clearly covered Kavanaughs personal finances. Someone erased all of the many financial pitfalls he faced, including tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, while setting up him for a luxurious lifestyle well beyond what he could afford on the salary of a federal judge. We still dont know which benefactors paid for Kavanaughs $92,000 country club initiation fee in 2016 for the Chevy Chase Club while he was making $225,000 a year, had two children in private school, and was saddled with the most debt of his life, approximately $100,000.
The staggering country club fee, which Kavanaugh plainly could not cover himself, represented the most egregious hole in Kavanaughs make-no-sense financial disclosure made during his nomination. For instance, in 2006, he bought a $1.2 million home in a tony suburb of Washington, D.C. and made tens of thousands of dollars of upgrades while earning $175,000 and sitting on a modest savings account.
The disclosures should have been a huge red flag for the press. The personal finances of Supreme Court nominees regularly come under scrutiny during the congressional vetting process, the Washington Post reported in 2018. And Kavanaughs finances were by far the most befuddling of any Supreme Court nominee in modern history. But the press mostly yawned through the story.
more...
https://pressrun.media/p/we-still-dont-know-who-paid-kavanaughs
70sEraVet
(3,472 posts)I'd rather see a concerted effort to clean the court of justices who were improperly placed. A renewed and unrestrained FBI investigation of Kavanaugh should be the first place to start.
marieo1
(1,402 posts)I agree, the SC definitely needs to be cleaned up, they were placed on the SC by a president that was a crook, liar, right wing tool. I always thought the SC was to be good people that could set examples for the rest of our population, boy, was I wrong. It is sad some deranged man like DJT could even place them on the SC. What needs to happen to get rid of Kavanaugh, Barrett and whoever else? Can it happen? And......how come other good politicians don't figure out a way to clean up the SC rather than the SC be made the laughing stock of the world. We don't need more, we just need it cleaned up!!! And....it should NOT be a lifetime appointment, there needs to be term limits!!!!!!!!!!!!
2naSalit
(86,307 posts)It can be done but it won't be easy.
Response to 70sEraVet (Reply #1)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
in2herbs
(2,944 posts)for judicial nominees.
CrispyQ
(36,413 posts)one DUer suggested (jokingly) that instead, we go back to the original court size & get rid of the last three.
Wingus Dingus
(8,052 posts)spanone
(135,774 posts)FakeNoose
(32,541 posts)Tommymac
(7,263 posts)This just shows how dysfunctional Our current system can be.
Corruption breeds corruption.
And Brett is as corrupt as they come.
Page 2 asks why did former Justice Kennedy retire so suddenly?
Lonestarblue
(9,958 posts)His parents are both attorneys (his mother later became a judge) who could afford Georgetown Prep and Yale for him. I have friends whose children went to prep school with himhe was known to be part of a wild and very privileged group.
That said, its equally possible that he has been bought and paid for. As a member of Ken Starrs team determined to take down the Clintons and smear them for life, he had access to several very wealthy individuals who would like to see someone like Kavanaugh with no scruples on the Supreme Court to aid their goals, including Ken Starr, the Koch foundations, and every other right-wing millionaire who plotted against the Clintons. My vote would be for someone from this group paying his debts simply because it fits with who I think him to be.
FoxNewsSucks
(10,414 posts)it would probably have been disclosed since that could be considered "legitimate". As long as someone else didn't reimburse the parents.
leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)I'm totally sure that he claimed that as income on his 1040.
That sum exceeds the amount you are allowed to gift in any one year.
former9thward
(31,923 posts)It is the gift giver that pays any tax that may be due.
leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)Why would the giver have to pay income tax?
former9thward
(31,923 posts)And a gift is not "income" under IRS rules so no income tax is due by the recipient.
leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)I learn something new all the time!
Quoted from the IRS website:
"The donor is generally responsible for paying the gift tax. Under special arrangements the donee may agree to pay the tax instead. Please visit with your tax professional if you are considering this type of arrangement."
Thank you for my Monday morning education.
PatSeg
(47,230 posts)It was a time when every single day had some kind of in-your-face outrageous story, mostly thanks to Trump. As a result, many really important stories got overlooked in the process. Trump is not a terribly bright guy, but he is the master of distraction.
Of course, Kavanaugh had so much going against him, it is unbelievable that he got confirmed. Republicans in the senate would have confirmed a "ham sandwich" if that was what Trump wanted.
Ligyron
(7,615 posts)Tadpole Raisin
(972 posts)also to eliminate the rule that allowed TFGs sister (the judge) to avoid continuing the investigation of her and the potential prosecution just by resigning the bench.
Do that and I think there could be retirements and resignations (to spend more time with family) in advance of the implementation of the law and maybe deter others with questionable backgrounds from accepting SCOTUS nominations in the first place.
Of course since republicans like to abuse any law possible Id like safeguards if possible to prevent this.
MacKasey
(981 posts)I believe you can give up to $15,000 as a personal gift a year, after that you must pay tax on it.
Can someone confirm for me , thanks
leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)$15,000 per year is not taxable. Anything beyond that amount is taxable.
MacKasey
(981 posts)leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)Per IRS rules, the parents who give him the money have to pay the tax on any amount above $15,000. I had thought that the "giftee" was responsible for the taxes and I was wrong. Wonderful DU corrected me!
Roland99
(53,342 posts)leftieNanner
(15,056 posts)Roland99
(53,342 posts)Champp
(2,114 posts)PatrickforB
(14,556 posts)resembling a Fairness Doctrine.
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)This is capitalism, and corporatism, and oligarchy.
This idea that "The Press" is going to save us is the result of some really skilled and persevering marketing.
Newspapers were never unbiased. Often in our history, they were highly biased and didn't hide it.
Their job is to profit from the news.
essaynnc
(799 posts)That K was under oath when he testified at his hearing.
Isn't it as simple as... He lied, charge him with perjury, and get rid of him? I'm sure that there is a solution in there somewhere.......
But alas, he has "backers", he won't be charged with Jack Shit, I'm afraid.
Botany
(70,433 posts)n/t
twodogsbarking
(9,664 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,023 posts)Just need the political power and will to do it.
Retrograde
(10,126 posts)but given reports of his past behavior I'm not sure he knows himself.
Blue Owl
(50,233 posts)And like the saying goes, is there anything beer CAN'T do???