North Idaho Lawmaker's Tax Troubles Continue

Monday Rep. Phil Hart (R-Hayden) pled his state tax case before the Idaho Supreme Court.  The Republican owes more than 50-thousand dollars in taxes and penalties to Idaho.  Today his federal tax case took a new turn. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge denied most of Hart’s arguments. Hart had asked for a delay or a dismissal of the charges against him.  He owes more than half a million dollars in federal taxes and penalties, that stem from 1996 when he stopped paying taxes for a time, declaring them unconstitutional.  The judge also denied Hart’s attempt to extend the discovery deadline in the case.  Lodge has set a trial date for November 5th in Coeur d’Alene.