It’s a bit over the top to blame a single tax cheat for the inadequate funding of D.C.’s school system. Shouldn’t blame be equally apportioned to the “no new taxes” crowd who refuse to raise the money needed for school improvements? Shouldn’t we at least recognize that tax fraud (pdf) is a widespread problem?

Federal prosecutors instead assigned the blame for D.C.’s financial woes to Walter Anderson, who tried to conceal $365 million in personal income and thus avoided paying $40 million in taxes to the District.

"At the Dunbar High School gym, the place is an embarrassment," said prosecutor Karen E. Kelly. "The toilets don't work; soap, paper towels and toilet paper are missing; . . . and students choose to go back to class rather than use the showers. The Cardozo High School pool has been closed for 10 years, and the sports program for the entire D.C. school system is run on $1.9 million." she continued. "Do you dare to imagine the program they could have implemented with $40 million of Anderson's tax money?"

She might have dared ask why the administration has tried, rather unsuccessfully, to privatize tax collection while failing to provide sufficient funds for IRS auditors who are more likely to ferret out wealthy tax cheats like Anderson.

Prosecutors say Anderson also failed to pay an estimated $140 million to $178 million in federal income taxes.