Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
The conservative economist who Donald Trump plans to nominate for a seat on the Federal Reserve owes $75,000 (£57,000) in unpaid federal taxes, interest and penalties, according to court documents filed last year.
A lien for $75,328.80 from the 2014 tax year was entered against Stephen Moore at the request of the federal government in January 2018 in Montgomery County, Maryland, where he resides, the records show.
Mr Moore did not immediately return a request for comment.
Mr Moore referred questions about the tax lien to his wife, Anne Carey, who said Mr Moore had inadvertently deducted both alimony and child support payments to his former wife, Bloomberg News reported.
Child support is not deductible on federal taxes. Alimony had been deductible for divorces, such as Mr Moore’s, that were completed before the start of this year.
Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet
Mr Moore has built his career in Washington, in large part on his tax expertise – in particular, his enthusiastic support of tax cuts, including Mr Trump’s signature tax law.
He helped draft Mr Trump’s tax plan in the 2016 campaign and other economic policy proposals.
Last week, Mr Trump announced his choice of Mr Moore, who recently impressed him with calls for the Fed to cut interest rates. The president did so before Mr Moore could be subjected to the kind of vetting that is typical for nominees.
Mr Trump has yet to formally nominate Mr Moore to the Federal Reserve, a position that requires Senate confirmation.
Mr Moore said that Mr Trump’s decision to nominate him had come as a surprise.
“I never really thought about this, but, you know, I thought that – the more I thought about it, the more I thought, this is economic policy right on the front line,” Mr Moore said. “That’s what I do.”
The New York Times
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments