Bribes are taxable income

One recently resigned West Palm Beach City Commissioner is finding that out just now.

West Palm Beach · Former City Commissioner James Exline will be charged today with knowingly filing a false federal tax return.

As part of a plea negotiation, Exline, 42, is scheduled to plead guilty tomorrow morning at an initial appearance in U.S. District Court. He faces three years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference to announce the charges.

Exline, a former city planner who was first appointed to his seat in 1999, has been cooperating for months with state and federal prosecutors. He resigned from the commission, at the instruction of prosecutors, on Jan. 19.

The federal tax charge against Exline stems from a state grand jury investigation into possible "pay-to-play" corruption within city government and conflicts of interest among city officials.

According to the information charging Exline with filing a false return, Exline did not report receiving $50,000 in October 2004 from a land developer who had hired Exline to "to provide certain land use and planning services for a development" proposed in West Palm Beach.

The information said the developer "agreed to give $50,000" to Exline "for past and future real estate commissions and land planning services related to the contemplated development." The land for the development was located within Exline's district.

Hopefully a judge will throw the book at Exline but if I had to guess it won't happen. Elected officials get off with little more than wrist slaps, look at this disgraced former Governor. He received less than ten years for six children who died because of his bribe taking. Do you wonder why I say the justice system in America is all screwed up?

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