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Former Gov. Kirk owes $318,000 in taxes, feds say

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 18, 2007

MIAMI - Former Gov. Claude R. Kirk Jr. did not pay more than $318,000 in income taxes over the past 10 years, according to a federal lawsuit filed Friday.

Kirk, who became Florida's first Republican governor of the 20th century, owes $318,498.46 dating back to 1995, plus fees and interest, according to the lawsuit filed by Miami U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta.

Additionally, authorities allege Kirk put his West Palm Beach home under his wife Erika's name to avoid paying taxes even though the house was purchased by the former governor. Authorities are trying to put a lien against the home and other property, according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. Southern District Court of Florida in West Palm Beach.

Erika Kirk acquired the property because of "a special warranty deed" in March 2005, according to the lawsuit. Kirk said he had not seen the lawsuit and did not know anything about it.

Telephone messages left for Acosta's office were not immediately returned Friday evening.

Kirk had never held a public office before he was elected in 1966. A Marine Corps veteran of World War II and Korea, he easily defeated Robert King High, who had won the Democratic nomination over incumbent Gov. Haydon Burns in a divisive primary.

Kirk showed up at his inaugural ball accompanied by "Madame X," whom he would not introduce to the press. The mysterious guest, Erika Mattfeld, married Kirk a month later. It was his second marriage. Kirk had seven children, including two who were born while he was governor.

After leaving office, Kirk pursued a series of quixotic campaigns - including the U.S. presidency - and again swung back and forth between the two major political parties.

Kirk and his wife live in West Palm Beach where the former governor spends most of his time in investment banking.

[Last modified March 18, 2007, 00:20:10]