Is Florida Congressman Connie Mack A Tax Cheat? Mack And Husband Claim Homestead Exemption In Two States

Lee County Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson said Wednesday he probably will investigate whether Rep. Connie Mack and his wife, Rep. Mary Bono of California, are entitled to two separate homestead exemptions in their home states, although his “first blush” opinion is that they are.

“My impression is they’ll probably be all right,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said his senior staff members will discuss the matter today; he expects the decision will be to conduct an investigation.

He said the office likely will ask Mack and Bono for financial documentation, possibly including tax filings and records of their homestead properties, mortgage and insurance bills.

Asked about an anti-fraud posting on his office’s website that appears to suggest the dual exemptions aren’t allowed, Wilkinson responded, “Semantics is an interesting science; the wordage could be better on the site.”

Mack has a homestead exemption on his Fort Myers condo, and Bono has one on her Palm Springs home, even though the Florida Constitution says a single “family unit,” which usually includes a married couple, can have only one.

Mack’s attorney has said it is appropriate because the two are financially independent of each other.

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