Comedian and Senate candidate Al Franken pointed the finger at his accountant for paying his taxes incorrectly and said he would make good on the mistake.
The Democratic candidate and former Saturday Night Live performer, who is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman in Minnesota, admitted that he owes $70,000 in 17 states for earned income dating back to 2003, according to a report by local station WCCO. The income mainly came from speeches and other paid appearances. Franken was also a long-time host on Air America Radio.
He said that he and his wife had been paying taxes in the states in which they lived, New York and Minnesota, but that his accountant miscalculated and failed to pay the taxes in the other states in which he earned income. "Our accountant made a mistake, and Franni and I relied on our accountant and he made a mistake," he said, according to WCCO. "And I am fixing it and making it right."
Franken claimed the various states had not contacted him seeking payment for unpaid taxes and that he was paying the taxes voluntarily. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
