IRS auditing Mahoney
State Rep. Timothy Mahoney confirmed Friday that he is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service, but said the audit has nothing to do with legislative or state issues. Mahoney, who first took office in 2007, said the personal audit has been ongoing for the past month and he has been cooperating with IRS officials. Mahoney, D-South Union Township, said he has given all records to his attorney in Allegheny County so he can deal with the IRS, as has been his past practice.
Mahoney said IRS agents did speak to him at his local office, but they never have taken any records. He said agents questioned him about his businesses and income. Mahoney said he probably makes more money than the average legislator because he owns other businesses and properties.
“They never confiscated anything, never raided anything at my offices and it has nothing to with state business. I’ve been through three audits before and there have always been no findings,” Mahoney said. “When you are in business, you are robbing Peter to pay Paul all the time.”
Mahoney said he has delivered all his records to his attorney over the past couple of weeks.
“It has nothing to do with the legislative work I do. I am cooperating the fullest with the government,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney, 51, has owned numerous businesses over the past 30 years.
“I championed open records and my records are there for them to see,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney has been largely credited for playing a key role in the state’s new open records legislation.
He said he began receiving telephone calls Friday morning from various media outlets that had apparently heard raids had occurred at Mahoney’s home and offices.
“I think it is politically motivated,” Mahoney said of the information that he was raided and possibly facing charges. “It’s all false.”
A spokesman for the Pittsburgh IRS office did not return calls seeking comment.