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Rudy Paid Judi for Speechwriting

Rudy Giuliani disclosed on his federal tax returns that he considers his wife an employee and paid her $125k a year for speechwriting help, an arrangement that pre-dated their marriage. The money was included as income on their joint tax return and they paid taxes on it.

Rudy Giuliani's haul for the 126 speeches he gave from January 2006 to March 2007 was $11.4 million, records filed this week show, which means he kicked back something less than 2% to his wife over that period.

That's a pretty insignificant figure given his entire speech income. Because she was an employee, I assume he also got to deduct her airline and other individual travel expenses that the paying company may not have picked up. Their suite would be covered since they shared it, but what about the meals and other related items?

My take: I don't believe for a second the pay was for her speechwriting help. It sounds like a clothing, hair and makeup allowance, and the only way to deduct it was to make her an employee.

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    Spousal allowances (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by profmarcus on Fri May 18, 2007 at 10:37:54 AM EST
    "It sounds like a clothing, hair and makeup allowance, and the only way to deduct it was to make her an employee."

    well, of COURSE, but how impertinent of you to point it out...

    And, yes, I DO take it personally

    Sexist (none / 0) (#2)
    by HeadScratcher on Fri May 18, 2007 at 10:50:33 AM EST
    Your dislike of Rudy is well documented. However, to suggest that his wife's income is sexist.

    "It sounds like a clothing, hair and makeup allowance, and the only way to deduct it was to make her an employee."

    In many relationships the spouse has a very powerful influence on the other spouse. To suggest otherwise is a quaint notion.

    There are many reasons to dislike Rudy. This isn't one of them.

    simple questions (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Sailor on Fri May 18, 2007 at 11:32:09 AM EST
    Did she write the speeches or not? How many other speechwrriters did he have? What were they paid?

    Parent
    OK (none / 0) (#3)
    by squeaky on Fri May 18, 2007 at 11:21:21 AM EST
    There are many reasons to dislike Rudy. This isn't one of them.

    So what are the reasons that you think are significant?

    Parent

    $ Talk $ (none / 0) (#5)
    by Saul on Fri May 18, 2007 at 12:34:15 PM EST
     I think the amounts he charges just to speak must be outrages.  What is even worse is that there are those out there dumb enough to pay for it.

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#6)
    by desertswine on Fri May 18, 2007 at 12:41:22 PM EST
    how anyone expects a classy dame like Judy to get on with a crummy 125G's a year.

    That is her isn't it? We gets confused.

    It is an issue (none / 0) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Fri May 18, 2007 at 01:46:24 PM EST
    if the only reason he put on her the payroll was to be able to deduct her clothes and hair and makeup artists.  You think she did her own for those appearances? Designer clothes and stylists aren't cheap.  

    I don't know if that's what is behind paying her for speechwriting assistance or not, but my instincts tell me it is.