Ocean County GOP Party Head Under Investigation For Unpaid Taxes: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore's attorney today acknowledged that the political kingmaker is under federal investigation for nearly a $1 million in unpaid federal income taxes, according to app.com.

Chatham-based attorney Kevin Marino, who is representing Gilmore, confirmed the probe. The U.S. Attorney's Office and the IRS are both involved, he said.

“All I can tell you is that this is a tax investigation and we’re confident Mr. Gilmore will be exonerated,” Marino said

Political fortunes in Ocean County rise and fall, depending on who Gilmore gives the nod to.

The Internal Revenue Service has placed three tax liens on his properties, including one as recent as March.

However, the investigation itself appears to center on a $20,000 loan Gilmore received and repaid from an unidentified contractor in Ocean County, app.com said, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

News of the inquiry was first reported Thursday night by investigative television reporter Alex Zdan for Chasing News on WWOR-TV Channel 9, which is based in Secaucus.

Will Skaggs, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, said “this office neither confirms nor denies any investigation.”

Gilmore also declined to comment on the investigation, citing instructions from his attorney not to speak publicly on the matter.

Gilmore's law firm is estimated to make more than $2 million each year from legal work in GOP-controlled Ocean County towns.

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Patch file photo