BARTLETT CREATING HIS OWN WHITEWATER WITH CONFUSION

$1 MILLION IN REAL ESTATE SALES NOT REPORTED
DOUGHERTY CALLS ON HIM TO COME CLEAN

Several newspapers recently reported that Roscoe Bartlett's Personal Financial Disclosures for the last several years were not complete and that he will not release his personal income tax returns to corroborate his statement that this was a mistake brought on by confusion. Since the initial report, Bartlett has made matters more confusing and he has to come clean on these home sales. "This could be a serious legal matter involving more than $1 million in real estate sales," said MD-6th District Democratic challenger Jennifer Dougherty, "I hope he will do everything he can to clear this up."

Bartlett's error is his own, but it brings into question the attention he gives to the issues in Congress affecting Maryland residents.

Roscoe Bartlett is a multi-millionaire. His wealth is not the issue. The issue is whether he has followed the law in reporting his wealth and earnings while in office as the law requires. Not many people in the 6th District have his wealth, but we all have to follow the rules. The public expects more from an 8-term Congressman than confusion in filing routine disclosure statements.

"Bartlett's explanation was that he and his staff were confused, that they could not read his handwriting, and he did not read the form that he signed. That explanation raises a bigger question and it is not a question he can answer by a press release - or through a spokesperson. As a resident of the 6th District, I want to hear the answers directly from him."

In his effort to clarify the erroneous filings, Bartlett's accountant reported that "he lost money in the aggregate." Bartlett said that he "lost money on each one of the properties." He went on to explain that he and his wife prepare their own tax returns.

Bartlett's explanations do nothing to clear this up. He is creating his own Whitewater and , regardless of whether he made money or not, he is required to report the transactions.

"Bartlett has been reluctant to face me or the public. It's time to step forward and clear this up."