Maine congressman, fiscal hawk, was often late with taxes

A review of property tax records in the Maine communities of Oakland, Phippsburg, Georgetown and Bath indicates the freshman lawmaker from Oakland was assessed interest 31 times for tardy payments in the last 10 years for properties he owned outright, owned with his parents or was developing through his real estate company.

Poliquin's property tax payment histories were among those of all members of Maine's congressional delegation, as well as Poliquin's Democratic opponent, reviewed by The Associated Press this summer through public records requests and interviews with town tax officials.

The businessman and former state treasurer, who has touted himself as a "dependable voice for fiscal responsibility," dismissed the late payments and interest penalties that added up to about $1,000 as the "cost of doing business" and attributed them to his thorough review of transactions.

Poliquin, who serves on the Financial Services Committee, worked for a fund management company before getting into public service as Maine's treasurer and then as a member of Congress.

The millionaire has always touted his business background and fiscal conservatism in his political campaigns.

— Sen. Angus King, an independent, has a primary residence in Brunswick, a ski condo at Sugarloaf, a summer retreat in Georgetown, Maine, and a home in Washington, D.C. According to records, King was assessed interest for being late three times on parcels in Georgetown and twice around the time he purchased his home in Washington.