Ocean County GOP Leader Accused of Tax Evasion Spent $82,000 on Woolly Mammoth Tusk, $400,000 on Home Remodel
ICYMI…Jersey Republicans are in disarray…
Indicted Ocean County GOP Leader, and one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, George R. Gilmore is having a rough go of it.
The embattled Chairman was indicted in January on tax evasion charges after a federal grand jury found that he spent more than $2.5 million on personal expenses—including home remodeling, toy trains and a woolly mammoth tusk—while owing over $1.5 million in federal taxes. Gilmore is following in the footsteps of Republicans like Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter who were indicted last year.
“It appears that the Ocean County GOP has a major corruption problem,” said DCCC Spokesperson Christine Bennett. “Gilmore’s troubles seem emblematic of a party in disarray. If the Republican party truly wants to ‘drain the swamp’ they should start with their leadership.”
According to the Department Of Justice:
- “From January 2014 to December 2016, Gilmore used the law firm’s bank accounts to pay more than $2 million worth of personal expenses, including obtaining checks to cash and cash advances on a corporate credit card. Gilmore falsely classified payments as “shareholder loans” instead of income to him.
- On Oct. 16, 2014, Gilmore sent the IRS a $493,526 check as payment for his 2013 taxes despite having no more than $2,500 in his personal bank account at the time. Gilmore’s check bounced and he never resubmitted payment in lieu of the bounced check. From November 2014, when he was notified by the IRS concerning the bounced check, to the end of December 2014, Gilmore spent more than $80,000 toward the construction of his home and to purchase artwork, antiques, and collectibles and more than $25,000 in mortgages and related expenses for five real estate properties that he owed.
- From November 2014 to October 2015, Gilmore falsely represented to the IRS collections officer that he would make partial payments to the IRS for his outstanding tax liability, but made none.
- Gilmore filed false tax returns for 2013 and 2014, which under-reported his actual income from the law firm.”
Gilmore also serves as Chairman of the Ocean County Board of Elections.
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