Paul Manafort, former campaign chair to President Donald Trump and a key figure in the FBI’s probe into Russian election interference, appears to be double dipping on property tax breaks for his homes in Florida and at Trump Tower, the New York Daily News reported.
Manafort claims the condominium abatement for the unit he purchased at the Fifth Avenue tower for $3.6 million in cash in 2006, which saved $5,502 off his $31,439 tax bill.
In order to receive the abatement, the apartment must be Manafort’s primary residence. But at the same time he’s claiming that his home in Palm Beach is his primary residence, reducing his $737,166 assessment by $50,000 a year.
The attorney who prepared the New York tax filings said Manafort considers the Florida home his primary residence.
“Florida is Mr. Manafort’s primary residence. He has not asked to change his residence to New York state,” attorney Bruce Baldinger said. “My law firm was charged with overseeing the requisite filings for the State of New York.
“We are reviewing the matter and will, if necessary, make any correction,” he added.
Manafort is registered to vote in Florida. There is no record of him being registered to vote at either his Trump Tower address or at his other properties in Soho and Brooklyn, city officials told the News.
Manafort quit Trump’s campaign in August after news emerged that he had received $12 million in cash payments by Ukraine’s ousted, pro-Russian oligarchs. The FBI is looking into whether Trump associates, including Manafort, colluded with Russia to manipulate the presidential election. [NYD] – Rich Bockmann