Federal prosecutors have decided not to seek criminal charges against the Rev. Al Sharpton over his chronic tax problems. The investigation was disbanded only after the government received a down payment Monday topping $1 million on a tax debt.
More payments will follow as Sharpton clears up a decade's worth of delinquent tax bills related to his personal business interests and his Harlem civil rights group.
The IRS and New York state and city tax agencies claim that Sharpton and his organization, the National Action Network, collectively owe millions of dollars in back taxes and penalties.
The exact amount Sharpton owes has not been revealed by either the government or Sharpton's lawyers, but there is evidence the debt is sizable.
The IRS obtained a $931,397 lien against Sharpton. City and state officials said he owned them another $933,577. Separately, the National Action Network said in its most recent tax filing that it owed at least $1.9 million in payroll taxes and related interest.
Sharpton, who was defiant when the probe became public in December, claiming it was part of a government smear campaign, has since changed his tune.
"We learn from every experience to be more cautious, more accountable," he told The Associated Press.
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