Hometown Paper: Gannon owed $20k in back taxes

Story still having legs.

The former Wilmington resident who gained notoriety asking softball questions at White House press conferences has an outstanding tax bill from the state of Delaware.

James D. Guckert, who reported under the pseudonym Jeff Gannon, failed to pay Delaware more than $20,700 in personal state income tax from 1991 through 1994, according to documents filed in Superior Court in Wilmington.

State Division of Revenue Director Patrick Carter said the assessment has not yet been satisfied.

"When it rains, it pours," Guckert said Friday from his Washington home. He would not comment further.

According to court records, Guckert owed $9,484 in taxes; $7,697.69 in fines and $3,560.71 in interest.

The judgment, which was filed Oct. 18, 1996, said interest would continue to accrue at a rate of 1 percent a month on the unpaid balance, and the penalty would accrue at 0.5 percent on the tax.