Keet: Past tax issues settled

GOP gubernatorial nominee Jim Keet said Wednesday he has settled any tax issues in question, while challenging Gov. Mike Beebe to a minimum of 4 regional debates.

Keet called issues regarding his past due and improperly assessed taxes a "diversion" created by the Beebe campaign, whom he accused of spending at least $34,000 on private investigators to look into his personal and business dealings.

Citing financial disclosure reports from March and April, Keet said payments to Reger Research were made by the Beebe campaign to investigate his interests.

The total payments listed to Reger Research on the two reports totaled $34,300 and were categorized as "consultant fees." A Google search indicates that Reger Research is a Virginia-based political consulting firm that specializes in "opposition, issue and self-research" — a common campaign practice and expense. The Beebe campaign denied paying for private investigators to look into Keet’s past.



"If Jim Keet wanted to avoid all of the questions with his taxes, he could have paid them in the first place, as Arkansans do," said Beebe spokesperson Anne Hughes. "We do not employ any private investigators, but it would seem the records Jim Keet is referring to are all a matter of public record that anyone can look up, not just Sam Spade and Perry Mason."

Keet filed an amended statement of financial interest today that discloses his directorship in KMC Aviation, Inc., a company led by Keet that owns an airplane that was not properly assessed for taxes in Arkansas. Keet said he paid the bill for taxes owed and is now current with the Pulaski County Assessor’s office.

Link here for more of the story from Roby Brock at Talk Business, which include Keet’s request for more debates with Beebe.