FILE/STAFF

Candidates' finances are in question

Augusta mayor hopefuls' records reveal histories of unpaid taxes and bankruptcy filings

Web posted November 1, 1998

By Amy Joyner
Staff Writer

Three of the men who want the top spot handling taxpayer money in Richmond County have a history of personal financial problems.

A search of records on file at the office of the Richmond County Clerk of Superior Court showed that two of them are on record for making delinquent tax payments. A third recently has filed for bankruptcy.

Kenneth R. Winters, who is running as a pauper because he couldn't afford the $1,950 mayor's qualifying fee, filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in November 1997. His final court date, to confirm his repayment plan, is Monday, a day before the election.

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Candidate Moses Todd, whose financial difficulties have been well chronicled during previous election years, has paid some past-due state and county taxes. But records still show two unsatisfied claims by the Georgia Department of Revenue for more than $1,780 in unpaid taxes, penalties, interest and collection fees.

Ed McIntyre, who was convicted in 1984 for extortion and served time in federal prison, also had a series of delinquent payments listed in his name for state and county taxes. They all have been paid.

Mr. McIntyre said his wife, Juanita, was listed on the deed as owner of their Edgewood Drive home and was responsible for paying taxes on the property. Four of the six delinquent payments were for the Edgewood Drive property.

``My wife owns the house. The deed's in her name. Technically, I do not even own the house I live in,'' he said.

On two occasions, Mr. McIntyre was listed as a co-owner with Dan McCain of property on Perkins Road. Mr. McIntyre said he was a consultant for Mr. McCain's construction business and was unaware he was listed as an owner. Both delinquent payments for the Perkins Road property also have been made.

While Mr. McIntyre said that he had received late notices for some tax payments in the past and had paid penalties, he said he was unaware of official orders to collect the taxes filed against him.

J. North Williamson, chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, said it was possible for a co-owner to be unaware of the filed orders.

Property tax bills are mailed in September to the owner of record and are due in mid-November. If taxes aren't paid in four months, the tax commissioner will send a letter by regular mail giving at least 30 days notice that an order to collect will be issued, Mr. Williamson said.

Until the delinquent taxes are paid, property owners can't get a bank loan or sell any of their property, but they receive no other notice of the order filed in court.

Former commissioner Mr. Todd, whose car once was repossessed during a public meeting, refused to talk about his past finances.

``I'm commenting on issues,'' he said. ``I'm not commenting on any past financial issues. If you have a story, go to print with it.''

Two of the orders filed against Mr. Todd are listed as unpaid. He disputes those outstanding charges, and his campaign manager said Mr. Todd has paid all the taxes he knows about.

``I dispute it, of course,'' said Mr. Todd, when asked about the claims that listed a post office box as his address. ``Is that the address that's on my, let's say, employment records anywhere? Of course I dispute it until someone from the state of Georgia tells me what in the heck they're talking about.''

Mr. Todd said his official address is 2441 Barton Chapel Road. There have been questions raised about his official residence, and he has said he has moved several times.

Campaign manager Bill Ford said they would look into the matter after Tuesday's election.

Janice Kaufmann, who collects delinquent taxes for the Department of Revenue office in Augusta, said property owners receive several notices from Atlanta before a letter is sent informing them that an order to collect taxes has been filed. But there is no way to know if those notices are sent to the wrong address.

Mr. Winters, who also filed bankruptcy more than 10 years ago in Columbus, Ga., said he wanted to get aggressive debt collectors off his back while he paid some family medical bills. So he filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, known as the ``wage-earner'' bankruptcy, once again.

``I am sorry that I had to go this route,'' Mr. Winters said, adding that his family was his priority.

People who file Chapter 13 promise to repay as many creditors as possible from their available income. Mr. Winters is making $200 monthly payments to meet his obligations.

Augusta Tire & Wheel sued Mr. Winters for $947 and was granted a judgment, but it has been set aside as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Despite his own money problems, Mr. Winters said he could manage taxpayers' money with the help of commissioners and City Administrator Randy Oliver.

``I will not mishandle the people's money,'' he said. ``I did not mishandle my money. That isn't what put me in bankruptcy. What put me in bankruptcy court was people who claimed they would work with me and didn't work with me.''

Amy Joyner can be reached at (706) 823-3339 or ajoyner@augustachronicle.com. Alisa DeMao can be reached at (706) 823-3223 or newsroom@augustachronicle.com.