McClatchy: Clinton disclosures didn't list $24 million of Bill's income

[babylonsister]

McClatchy: Clinton disclosures didn't list $24 million of Bill's income
By Greg Gordon | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008


WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Clinton excluded nearly $24 million of her husband's earnings from Senate financial statements from 2004 through 2006, capitalizing on rules that permit senators to limit disclosures of some of their spouses' income.

Her decision, while fully consistent with Senate rules and norms, delayed the release of financial information about former President Clinton's soaring income until the couple released their tax returns in early April, under pressure from Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama. By then, about 40 states had completed their Democratic primaries and caucuses, meaning that those voters didn't get a clear look at Bill Clinton's finances.

Like Clinton, Obama listed his wife Michelle's salary and directors' fees only as ``over $1,000,'' which complies with Senate rules. Obama and his wife, a Chicago lawyer, aren't as wealthy as the Clintons, however, and their finances are less murky.

GOP candidate John McCain's wife, Cindy, is the heiress to a beer distributorship and has owned stock in oil and pharmaceutical companies, but the specifics are elusive. McCain has declined to release his wife's tax returns, saying they keep their finances separately.

Watchdogs say these scenarios not only raise issues about the candidates' openness, but also point to shortcomings in government ethics requirements.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/35929.html

[Life Long Dem]

1. And who knows how much more is unaccounted for.

I don't see how anyone can believe anything she says.

[babylonsister]

2. Kind of blows that elitist argument all to hell...

The Center for Public Integrity's Buzenberg called the 1984 flap over the business activities of Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro's husband, New York real estate mogul John Zaccaro, ``small potatoes compared to the millions and millions (of dollars) we're talking about with the former president.''

[OhioChick]

3. "Murky" finances of the Clintons....

That's a good way of summing it up.

Interesting note: I wasn't aware that McCain's wife has/had owned stock in oil and pharmaceuticals....Hmmmm....