Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill was delinquent in paying property taxes on his Harrah law office six years in a row, an investigation by The Oklahoman revealed.
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"I take full responsibility for this error,” the Republican leader said Friday in a statement prepared after flying to Florida for a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"I certainly apologize to the people of Oklahoma and to my colleagues, and will take steps to ensure these matters are handled in a timely and efficient manner in the future,” Cargill said.
Oklahoma County Treasurer Butch Freeman said, "He's one of my favorite taxpayers because we make a lot of money on him in interest and penalty.”
Cargill has faced widespread criticism over the last week for other tax problems.
The Oklahoman reported Cargill failed to file his 2005 and 2006 personal income tax returns until getting a Jan. 7 warning from the state Tax Commission. Cargill blamed a miscommunication with an accountant.
Cargill, who is an attor-ney, fell behind months on many of the property tax bills on his law office, county records show. His company, Harrah Professional Partnership, bought the office in September 2001.
The property tax on the first year was paid on time but payments have been late every year since, records show.
Local school districts are the biggest losers when Oklahoma property owners fail to pay their real estate taxes on time.
More than half of the real estate taxes on Cargill's law office were designated for support of Harrah schools, records show.
Smaller amounts go to support other schools in the county, the city of Harrah, Oklahoma County government, the library system, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department and a Choctaw technology center.
Most of the original tax bills on the law office have been about $700 or less for the year. Cargill was supposed to pay at least half by Dec. 31 each year.
He or his company has had to pay a total of $562.44 in penalties, interest and fees by paying the taxes late. None of the late fees go to the schools.
The property taxes on Cargill's home are handled by a mortgage company and have been paid on time, the treasurer said.
In his statement, Cargill said, "Unlike my home, my business property taxes are not automatically paid because the business is owned outright and there is no mortgage.”
Cargill sent in a $1,623.93 check — dated Jan. 10 — to pay his overdue 2007 and 2006 property taxes on his law office, records show.
The 2006 tax was more than a year overdue. The 2007 tax, at that point, was just days overdue.
The check was not enough to cover both years, because of interest on the 2006 bill, and Cargill will be notified he must pay more, the treasurer said.
Cargill's $752.66 property tax bill for 2007 will be considered delinquent until a full payment comes in, Freeman said.
Cargill was eight months late in paying his 2005 property tax on the law office, the records show.
The $811.12 check covered the tax, penalty and interest.
Harrah Professional Partnership was more than seven months late in paying the 2004 property tax on the law office. The check was for $731.15.
Cargill paid the 2003 property tax on the law office more than seven months late. The check was for $780.52.
Harrah Professional Partnership also was more than seven months late in paying the 2002 property tax on the law office. The check was for $775.65.
The treasurer said Cargill apparently took care of the late payments most years after getting delinquent tax notices.
Those notices are mailed in July.
Only 3.12 percent of property owners had failed to pay their 2006 real estate taxes as of June 30, the treasurer said.
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We can expect more of the same when we keep electing lawyers. Lawyers have no soul.
I believe in freedom of the press, However I believe in things being reported should not target one politician but all. I do know personally of two differant events where Rep. Cargill was there for the people. Even If his taxes wasnt paid. One was for an elderly man, who was being scammed. NO CHARGE The other
talking to children about child abuse. NO CHARGE so while everyone throws bricks at him they may need to look and see what they have done for someone lately.
Im not defending anyone here, but I would rather know
a man is behind on his taxes. Than not behind his people. Isnt that truely the reason we vote them in.
Yes as Oklahomans the tax is important and the fines are just, However again Picking bones out of someone's closet is pretty petty. I'll stick with the Oklahoman
that cares for Oklahomans
I sure Mr. Cargill knew the hazards of the job when he ran, if he didn't then he needs to return the law degree. Like it or not in todays media, a sneeze by an elected offical is news.
How about MERIT RATINGS for parents involvement for parents involvement in the childs education. How about A - F. A child of a parent scoring an F merit rating that scores above an F in school should result in merit pay points for teachers. If a child of an A parent scores lower than an A, the teachers suffer a loss in merit pay points. Meanwhile, if the Oklahoman is going to write something about Lance Cargill, perhaps it should be REAL news? ;)
Maps4Millionaires, Cleveland - Jan 27, 2008 5:07 PM
If merit pay for the Oklahoma Legislature were now instituted, with a system actually designed to do what the term implies, the salaries of many legislators should appropriately be reduced to next to nothing. They are among the highest paid legislatures in the country, for their part-time job, and apparently one of the poorest performing. If Oklahoma public school teachers were put on merit pay as a whole for the state, their pay would have to be immediately increased by many thousands of dollars to match their product, if test scores or used as a yard stick, which they are by the media and the legislature, in order to be on par with similar test score levels around the country. As it is, Oklahoma schools are producing close to the high end of test scores, and perhaps other parameters, with about one-half the per student annual spending of the national average. Even with recent pay increases, teacher salary levels in Oklahoma are near the bottom nation-wide. Archaic Oklahoma laws, overseen by our legislature, are much of the reason that many school facilities are in miserable physical condition, because school districts are so restricted, by Oklahoma law, in passing bonds for needed funds to improve or replace their facilities. Students as well as teachers are having to try to work in classrooms and hallways with chronically leaking roofs and all the subsequent problems of such, and districts are having to waist more money to try to continue repairing roofs or other structures that should have been torn down and replaced years ago.
Not many other entities within any type of government setting have to deal with the ridiculous conditions and laws that schools have to. One example of this is having to have at least a 60% majority to pass bonds, maybe more than that. Again, this is perpetuated by our highly paid Okla. legislature, and Okla. constitution. What's that got to do with Cargill's chronic late paying, which some want us to believe is no "big deal"? The most important point is that if a majority of people who have property taxes did what the Speaker of the House does, it would indeed be an extreme hardship on the public schools. Wonder if that what Speaker Cargill, and his staunch supporters, really have in mind? Maybe one reason we have so much "white-collar" crime and graft in this country (ala Enron) is there are so many people that want to excuse so much errant, unethical behavior that hurts others, illegal or not. This is the example Cargill sets.
JH,deep red creek...Exactly. Speaker Cargill is one and the same legislator who has proposed "merit" pay for teachers!! Which, I would like to add, I strongly oppose.
If he remains in office - I think it would be fair for him to submit to a full audit of his personal and business finances - otherwise step-down. You have tarnished your financial image, and lost trust with the taxpayers of Oklahoma.
It speaks volumes of his character. A lawyer forgetting about paying property taxes and personal taxes? It's a bunch of BS - he is not responsible enough to handle his own affairs - and he has no business being involved in anyone elses especially the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma has enough problems with ghost employees and crooked politicians - we don't need irresponsible people making decisions for our state. He may be a nice guy - then I am sure he will be successful in his law practice where he should devote more of his time in order to pay his bills on time instead of blaming others for his faults. Last week the paper printed an article stating legislators that fail to pay their taxes will be dismissed. So why hasn't he been dismissed yet? Taking full responsibility is NOT waiting until a newspaper article is written about how irresponsible you are for not paying your bills, and then writing checks to cover yourself!
Oops...surely the reference which Darren made was not in regard to Speaker Cargill's ad valorem taxes, but to the Speaker's failure to file his personal income tax. What is the Tax Commission's policy regarding failures in filing personal income taxes? Is it possible that the agency has no reliable policy in place for identifying such failures and following up on them? Sometimes in state government, the right hand truly doesn't know what the left hand is doing. If there is no criteria in place for monitoring such failures in a timely manner, there needs to be some sound and dependable policy set in place. (I don't believe we can expect Speaker Cargill to write a HB on establishing that criteria...but maybe that can be checked out and someone will be willing to sponsor such legislation.)
It does not reflect well on his character. As an elected official his character should be above reproach. _______However, the Oklahoma Tax Commission is not going to be in his face in regard to his ad valorem taxes. Ad valorem taxes are under local jurisdiction..that being the county where said property is located. _________I read the story after my first post. I should have read it prior to making one._______ It is remarkable and unacceptable that his 2006 taxes remained unpaid until January of this year. Should the property have gone to Sheriff's Sale this past September or would that have occurred in September 2008? I have no idea what the law is on that point. Is the County Treasurer giving Speaker Cargill forebearance and special privilege? I am not saying that is so...I don't know though I wonder. _________As far as his stating he takes full responsibility ....pardon me, but full responsibility equals paying one's bills on time.___Anne, Oklahoma City, had made some valid and important points.
If Mr. Cargill had only been late paying his taxes one year, I wouldn't think too much about it. But apparently, paying HIS taxes is the least of his priorities. To be late year after year is not acceptable for an elected official, especially someone that is Speaker of the House. In fact, I'm guessing he just sent in the last ones after he was written about on the Income Taxes. It says that he just sent in his 2006 property taxes in January of this year. So what if he takes full responsibility? Only 3.12% of the population pay as late has he does. I hope his consituents are smart enough not to re-elect him.
how many citizens would have gotten away with being late for 2,3,4,5 years or more without the Oklahoma tax commision showing up at the door and taking everything we own but these LAW makers get away with it by making LAWS that affect everyone but them it is time for some serious change of leaders in Oklahoma i just hope that at election time people rember to kick these bums to the curb
I am not pro-Cargill or anti-Cargill. I admit that I haven't liked some of his ideas and the direction he seeks on a number of issues._____________I believe it is meritorious to pay one's bills on time. I believe that is the goal people should seek and a standard worthy of meeting....no matter what the bill. __________Having said that, I want to also say that being delinquent is not the equivalent of not paying "the bill"....any bill, including ad valorem taxes. Being late in paying one's bills may is not a good habit. However, does it really equate to wrong doing? After all, the taxes were paid...albeit paid late. _______ Now, if the Oklahoman reported that House Speaker Cargill's property was being sold at Sheriff's sale for non-payment of taxes, that would likely be newsworthy. However, that is not the story reported.__________ That he has been delinquent 6 years in a row on the same real property indicates to me that he, like many other citizens, is doing a balancing act of sorts when it comes to his ad valorem taxes. He paid them. He paid them late. The pattern has been established. It may or may not continue. Many people often find that happens by necessity. ________However, the key word is "delinquent"....a word that has more than one meaning. In this instance, the reported story brings the reader to a conclusion which seems intended to infer one of the more negative meanings. When it comes to the payment of ad valorem taxes it seems important to remember that the meaning delinquent in this instance means " Overdue in payment: a delinquent account" and is not the equivalent to breaking the law. As long as the taxes are paid, no law has been broken. _________ In fact, the law provides for penalty tax to be assessed on delinquent ad valorem tax. So, in fact, upon the payment of said taxes, House Speaker Cargill has also made amends by paying the fee for late payment._______Many people make a habit of being late on these taxes for whatever reason. Once they have done that, the pattern established often makes it necessary to continue that pattern. So long as the tax is paid, there is no law breaking. If the tax is not paid, the property is taken and sold at Sheriff's sale in the fall._____________Whatever else Speaker Cargill has done or failed to do, I don't know. Speaker Cargill is not one of my favorites. I am not affirming him. I am only saying that in this situation, I don't believe there has been any crime or blatant wrong doing. We need to remember to apply the correct meaning to the term delinquent (or any word with multiple meanings) in regard to the act or action or issue being discussed.
If you think that squawking about this on a DO website makes any difference, then you might be a redneck...... Go tend to your sheep and get a good nights rest this evening.
Speaker Cargill not paying his taxes on business property in a timely manner should not be bangdangled in the newspaper. Had he not paid them would be another manner, but he stands out bigger and brighter than the rest of us, he is an elected public offical. He, who controls the legislative process in the House, should set the example not be the example.
j3lly, Boon Dock wrote: "That's one way for a republican to cut taxes. That's to not pay it at all. " He DID pay the taxes, he was just late in doing so. Doesn't excuse him.
Lance is one of the nicest most honest guys around. Nobody is perfect. I'm sure that quote of 4% of people are not on time is off target. Being late on a payment is nothing new to the majority of americans. So, whoever has not been late on a payment cast the first stone. He has admitted it was an issue and is making it right. Just because the Oklahoman does there own little investigation to go after him. What would they find if they went after citizens of Oklahoma. Probably a lot of the same things.
Is this guy above the law? That's one way for a republican to cut taxes. That's to not pay it at all. The State of Oklahoma fired a few state's employees because they failed to pay their state income taxes. I wonder if they'll get rid of this goon too?
As a private citizen, if Cargill is not smart enough to continually pay his property taxes late (incurring additional fines and penalties along the way), that is his choice. His excuse is that it isn't set up to be paid automatically like his home property taxes are. Like I said before, the OBVIOUS answer is to set it up so it is automatic. I've done that with most of my monthly bills just so I dont forget it or have it get lost in the mail. Can't be all that difficult to do the same thing here. He is an educated man (a lawyer). However, elected officials need to be held to a higher standard and they should be leading by example. Certainly someone who is in a leadership position like Speaker of the House. At the very least, he needs to step down as Speaker. (I am a republican). Same goes for the other Legislators that failed to file their state taxes going back multiple years.
Sure JOHN, let's just ignore one of the leaders of our state legislature that ignores paying his taxes promply. I pay mine when they are due, do you? Cargill is in the less than 4% of citizens that don't pay on time.
Sounds like the Oklahoman is really after Mr. Cargill and he is helping them along the way. Maybe the Oklahoman should list all the businesses and individuals who wait years to pay their taxes. I bet some of you would be real shoked to see the list. They also pay nice pentalies and interest which is great for the county. As the county official in the article said, they like his extra money. Looks like he would wise up and notice they are after him. Start walking the straight line.
Cargill is a piece of crap. He should be removed from office. He knew in July 2007 that his personal taxes were late, but failed to do nothing until he got called on it because he thinks he can get away with anything. The accountant he threw under the bus was, at one time, a personal friend of his that supported him in every endeavor. Just goes to show what he will do when he is backed in a corner. He is a piece of crap!!! Just go to youtube.com and search him.
From reading comments on here it is apparent that some, likely of the same ethical persuasion as the Speaker of the House believe it is no big deal. As one person said, the SOH should be setting an example of integrity and honesty. And it is no big deal? So it would be no big deal if we all did as Cargill does, as one suggested? Mr. Cargill's political party has well demonstrated in their attitude toward taxes that having a sound infrastructure, even just good roads and safe bridges, not to mention public school buildings that don't have leaking roofs and otherwise are in shambles, is "no big deal". As far as delinquent tax payers not affecting schools, think again. Ever hear of a budget? Schools have to make budgets based on total taxes of previous year, and when current taxes are not paid it can, perhaps not in all cases, but can cut in to what they receive earlier in the school year. As for Jack of Durants' comment, obviously he thinks the Repubs are a bunch of angels. Wake up and read what is going on Jack, and look up the amount of the national debt when Clinton left office, compared to when he went into office and what has happened since, as well as the price of fuel, with two republican oil biz men in the White House.
Chris, You need to pop some Paxil and chill out. People like you get worked up over every 1/2 baked story in the DO. If you feel the need to belong to something, join a club or get a hobby.
Big deal. He paid his taxes late. This is absolutely a non-story meant to be a hit piece. If he paid his taxes late, he not only paid the taxes but also a penalty. So, consequently, after the penalty, he paid more than he would have otherwise. And WHO KNOWS, perhaps the Oklahoma County Assessor's office has some complicity in the matter. In fact, I bet this story was fed to the Oklahoman by the county assessor or treasurer. I hear that they are not happy with Cargill.
Maps4Millionaires, Cleveland - Jan 26, 2008 5:37 PM
If anyone has insight into how property taxes are distributed (esp to schools), please post.
Curious about the whole "Local school districts are the biggest losers ..." When do the schools get their share of property taxes distributed? Surely it isn't as each payment comes into the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Most likely it is sometime after the end of the fiscal year (July), so even if a taxpayer is late on the payment (half by the end of Dec), it is probably there in time for the schools to get there share. The only way schools don't get their share is if the payment isn't made at all. This in no way defends or excuses Cargill from paying late. I am a republican and think its time for him to at least step down as Speaker of the House. If they only messed it up once or twice it might be a mistake but when it is going on for years there is no mistake involved, it is a pattern of behavior. Since the state can't fire them (it didn't hire them), maybe it can stop their government checks until they file and pay any back taxes owed. Unless some type of impeachment process can be brought against all 5 (2 Dems and 3 Repubs) then it is up to the the people that hired them (voters) to show them the door the next time they are up for re-election. Sadly, most voters have a very short memory and all will be forgotten.
well it just goes to show you that members of both parties have issues but you would think that if you are leader of the house in the state you would make sure you don't have skeletons like not paying taxes. You expect us to pay on time why cant you. You are not above the law.
It is time to begin an impeachment movement on Lance Cargill. Paying taxes late for six years straight is no MISTAKE. His ego just will not permit him to pay on time. While the children of Harrah Schools wait for tax support to heat and cool the buildings, Cargill is collecting his state government check each month. Why not delay his check for six months and let him feel our children's pain.
Well well well. The people like John, Danney, and Wiliam are the reason we have such shoddy characters in leadership positions in this state. Get rid of the McMahans and Cargills. Cargill should at a minimum lose his leadership position. Once his state tax position became public suddenly he pays his property taxes. He's a deadbeat and shouldn't be in a leadership position!
The Speaker is a bright man with great ideas and energy. He's also sloppy and cocky. He's much better off as a back bencher as they say across the big pond. His tax problems and the other rumors are strong evidence he's either risen too far, or belongs to the wrong party.
I say we elect these bozos to lead us and set the example for all Oklahomans. What do you think would happen if we all decided, i mean every single Oklahoman decided to wait 2 years to pay all our taxes? He is my leader and I should do like him. Excuses notwithstanding he is telling me how I should conduct my business and I should follow him to the letter. He is the speaker of the house and he sets the standard for ethics, attitude, and direction the state is going. So we should all start paying all our taxes late starting this year. Lets all delay filing our returns until at least September. Lets all delay actually paying our tax bills until 2010. Maybe this will light a fire under these morons at the ivory tower.
What? This is what the Daily Rag calls news? Tens of thousand of property owners pay taxes late. Why aren't we reading about them? Report about what a ripoff it is to ask taxpayers to pay for the Ford Center renovation. Sonic owners have indirectly admitted that the improvements will have no net impact on our local economy, but they want the taxpayers to pay for them. There's a story. Unfortunately, the Daily Rag doesn't want you to know about that.
WOW...he had some lame excuse for not filing his State taxes (mis-communication with his accountant). Says he was due a refund so taxes were paid, just didn't get the paperwork in (still against OK law). Most file Federal and State at same time, did he fail to file the federal paperwork too? Now we learn he has been late in paying property taxes every year. His excuse this time? Not set up to be paid automatically. Obvious answer, set it up to be paid automatically. Certainly wouldn't hire this man as my lawyer when the this is the best defense he can come up with for himself. I respectfully disagree with Danney's post, as this is starting to show a pattern of behavior on Cargill's part. Yes, the Oklahoman can go a bit far sometimes, many stories belong on the editorial page (nearly every story they do on illegal immigration/HB 1804 belongs there).
Danney, OKC did you just wake up from a long coma today, have you not seen just how many of our leaders are breaking the law that we have to abide by. You can defend them until all you want but I'm sure it's not flying with alot of honest paying law abiding citizens.
This is really stupid. The Oklahoman is trying to make a huge story out of a guy failing to pay 600 or 700 dollars on property tax? They make it seem that the entire harrah school system depends upon that money in order to ensure the students are educated. I bet tomorrow they are going to have an exclusive story on OKC PD officers who speed 5 or more miles per hour over the speed limit. I'm sure every elected official follows every law and regulation to a T.
Yea some do pay late, but a YEAR and it was going on 2 until he got caught, and what does the Ford Center and the Sonic's have to do with paying property taxes or income taxes. At the last of each year you pay your property taxes and the 1st 4 month's of the next year you work on your income taxes, how hard it that to remember?
State House speaker resigns post 01/28/2008 Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill plans to address GOP House members this afternoon amid speculation that he will step down as speaker.
Republican...
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
talking to children about child abuse. NO CHARGE so while everyone throws bricks at him they may need to look and see what they have done for someone lately.
Im not defending anyone here, but I would rather know
a man is behind on his taxes. Than not behind his people. Isnt that truely the reason we vote them in.
Yes as Oklahomans the tax is important and the fines are just, However again Picking bones out of someone's closet is pretty petty. I'll stick with the Oklahoman
that cares for Oklahomans
Not many other entities within any type of government setting have to deal with the ridiculous conditions and laws that schools have to. One example of this is having to have at least a 60% majority to pass bonds, maybe more than that. Again, this is perpetuated by our highly paid Okla. legislature, and Okla. constitution. What's that got to do with Cargill's chronic late paying, which some want us to believe is no "big deal"? The most important point is that if a majority of people who have property taxes did what the Speaker of the House does, it would indeed be an extreme hardship on the public schools. Wonder if that what Speaker Cargill, and his staunch supporters, really have in mind? Maybe one reason we have so much "white-collar" crime and graft in this country (ala Enron) is there are so many people that want to excuse so much errant, unethical behavior that hurts others, illegal or not. This is the example Cargill sets.
If you think that squawking about this on a DO website makes any difference, then you might be a redneck...... Go tend to your sheep and get a good nights rest this evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLNbHp_tXgk
Curious about the whole "Local school districts are the biggest losers ..." When do the schools get their share of property taxes distributed? Surely it isn't as each payment comes into the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Most likely it is sometime after the end of the fiscal year (July), so even if a taxpayer is late on the payment (half by the end of Dec), it is probably there in time for the schools to get there share. The only way schools don't get their share is if the payment isn't made at all. This in no way defends or excuses Cargill from paying late. I am a republican and think its time for him to at least step down as Speaker of the House. If they only messed it up once or twice it might be a mistake but when it is going on for years there is no mistake involved, it is a pattern of behavior. Since the state can't fire them (it didn't hire them), maybe it can stop their government checks until they file and pay any back taxes owed. Unless some type of impeachment process can be brought against all 5 (2 Dems and 3 Repubs) then it is up to the the people that hired them (voters) to show them the door the next time they are up for re-election. Sadly, most voters have a very short memory and all will be forgotten.