Mary Norwood releases tax returns, calls on opponent to do the same

ATLANTA — Atlanta mayoral candidate Mary Norwood is calling on her opponent, Keisha Lance Bottoms, to release her tax returns.

Monday afternoon, Norwood released her personal and business tax returns dating back to 2003.

“I believe that this is a turning point in Atlanta when we need to be 100 percent transparent and 100 percent accountable,” Norwood said.

Over the past five years, Norwood’s personal income tax returns show she and her husband had an adjustable gross income ranging from $128,000 in 2013, to a high of $194,000 in 2015.

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An analysis shows the majority of the money came from IRA distributions.

“When you look at our returns, and you look at what our income is, and what are expenses are, we live within our means and we pay our bills,” Norwood said.

After releasing her returns Monday afternoon, Norwood challenged Bottoms to release her personal and business tax returns, along with information on any property liens and water bills.

At an event Monday morning in which Bottoms received endorsements from high-profile Democrats, including former state Sen. Jason Carter, Bottoms told Channel 2 Action News she would be open to releasing her returns.

“I’ll be giving my accountant a telephone call today. I will give him a call today and see what we can put our hands on and I don’t have an issue with that at all,” Bottoms said.

Bottoms also issued a challenge to Norwood.

“I hope that she releases her business and her personal tax returns, and that she also gives us some insight into the trust that she holds land in, that she doesn’t feel the need to publicly disclose,” Bottoms said.

A representative for Norwood told Channel 2 Action News that Bottoms is referring to property in Maine, but he says Norwood doesn’t own it and that it’s a timeshare.

Norwood is calling on Bottoms to release her returns by Thanksgiving.

Bottoms and Norwood are set to square off in a LIVE debate on Channel 2 Action News Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

Election day is Dec. 5.

Cox Media Group