Diaz-Balart wife and business partner owe the IRS $66,731

As reported by the South Florida Business Journal in their Friday, October 30 edition, it seems one of our area’s distinguished members of congress (well, really his wife in this case together with partner Seth Gordon) has run into a bit of trouble with the IRS. Here’s what the Journal reported:

“A prominent Miami marketing firm co-run by the wife of U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart has federal tax trouble. The IRS has filed $67,303.61 worth of liens in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court against Gordon/Diaz-Balart, an LLC run by managing partner Seth Gordon and partner Tia Diaz-Balart.

“The bulk of the liens, $66,731.14, are assessments for unpaid payroll taxes, according to court documents. The liens stem from unpaid balances for the tax period starting in the second quarter of 2008 and running through the first quarter of 2009.

“Reached by phone, Gordon offered little detail.

““I’m fighting with the IRS,” he said. “It’s none of anyone’s business. I’m not going to talk about it.””

For those not in the know, this group was formed years ago between Gordon and Mario Diaz-Balart when Mario was still in the Florida legislature. From his powerful perch in Tallahassee, Mario would steer business to his friend Seth, who would (I suppose) share in the wealth with the state legislator.

My guess is that when he became a member of Congress, Mario was advised to turn things over to his wife — makes things a bit cleaner…

But geez, you’d think the wife of a member of Congress would at least pay her taxes…

Alvaro F. Fernandez