Sharpton's debt issues resurface amid political rise
FILE: August 23, 2014: The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at a rally in the Staten Island borough of New York, N.Y.(REUTERS)
The Rev. Al Sharpton has made a remarkable rise to national prominence, from community organizer to President Obamas consultant, amid a long and lesser-known history of debt and tax obligations totaling millions of dollars.
Sharpton and his for-profit businesses owe more than $4.5 million in state and federal tax liens, according to The New York Times.
And his influential nonprofit group, National Action Network, the Times said, appears to be in a similar situation, saddled with years of unpaid travel and hotel expenses while apparently staying afloat by not paying federal payroll taxes for employees.
The newspaper also suggested that Sharpton is not paying enough or fast enough to reduce his obligation to the state of New York, a situation he sharply refuted Tuesday.
The 60-year-old civil rights leader told FoxNews.com that he has an agreement with the government to repay his personal and business-related taxes and that his payments are on time.
We have a signed agreement, he said. And what is in the agreement has been kept. Weve been up to date. This is the most bogus story in the world.
He also made clear that the roughly $1 million raised at New York event to celebrate his 60th birthday, on which The Times reported, will go toward repaying his debts.
Sharpton also argued that his work ethic and determination are above reproach but acknowledged his shortcomings as an administrator.
To be sure, Sharpton has come a long way since his days as a robust preacher and activist working the streets of Brooklyn in a jogging suit.
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Sharpton's debt issues resurface amid political rise