Maryland Senate Hopeful Alsobrooks Under Fire for Controversial Tax Decisions

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Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks faces scrutiny over alleged improper tax breaks that saved her thousands of dollars.

At a Glance

Alsobrooks allegedly claimed improper tax deductions on properties in Maryland and D.C.
A CNN review found she claimed a homestead tax exemption for over a decade on a non-primary residence
She also reportedly benefited from a senior citizens’ tax break on a Washington property previously owned by her grandparents
The tax credits allegedly saved her nearly $14,000 in taxes between 2005 and 2017 on the D.C. property
Alsobrooks’ campaign states she was unaware of the tax credits and is working to resolve the issue

Improper Tax Breaks Alleged

Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maryland, is facing allegations of improperly claiming tax deductions on properties in Maryland and Washington, D.C. A CNN review uncovered that Alsobrooks claimed a homestead tax exemption for over a decade on a property that was not her primary residence, and benefited from a senior citizens’ tax break on a Washington property previously owned by her grandparents.

The tax credits in question reportedly saved Alsobrooks nearly $14,000 in taxes between 2005 and 2017 on the D.C. property alone. Additionally, she continued to claim a homestead exemption on a Prince George’s County townhouse even after renting it out, saving an estimated $2,600 since 2020.

Prince George's County executive Anglea Alsobrooks, who is running for a Maryland Senate seat, reportedly took advantage of tax breaks that she did not qualify for, according to a CNN investigation. https://t.co/SxjFwTqjYX

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) September 23, 2024

Campaign Response

Connor Lounsbury, Alsobrooks’ senior adviser, has stated that the candidate was unaware of the tax credits and is actively working to resolve the issue and make any necessary payments. The campaign provided explanations for the situations surrounding both properties.

“Many Marylanders know how difficult and complex it is when a family member needs to leave their home,” Lounsbury said. “When this situation happened to Angela’s grandmother, Angela stepped up and took it over for her family and paid the mortgage until the property was sold in 2018.”

Regarding the Maryland property, Lounsbury explained that when Alsobrooks purchased her new home, the homestead tax credit from her previous property was not transferred, resulting in no financial gain for her. The campaign maintains that she actually paid more in taxes than she would have if the credit had been properly transferred.

Political Implications

The revelation comes at a critical time for Alsobrooks, who is running against Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan in the general election to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin. The race, scheduled for November 5, is already attracting significant attention, with Alsobrooks aiming to become Maryland’s first Black U.S. Senator.

“It’s deeply disturbing that Angela Alsobrooks thinks the rules don’t apply to her. She campaigns on raising taxes while failing to pay her own and taking advantage of tax credits reserved for the poor and elderly. She claims to be unaware of tax laws it was her job to enforce. Governor Hogan has always stood up for taxpayers and in the Senate he will continue to fight for fairness and fiscal responsibility.”

The Hogan campaign has seized on this issue, criticizing Alsobrooks for allegedly not adhering to tax laws and taking advantage of tax credits. This controversy threatens to erode voter trust and could potentially impact the race’s outcome. A September poll showed Alsobrooks leading Hogan by 5 points, 46% to 41%, but these allegations may shift public opinion.

Looking Ahead

As the November 5 election approaches, both candidates are likely to face increased scrutiny. Alsobrooks’ campaign will need to address these allegations comprehensively to maintain voter confidence. Meanwhile, Hogan is positioning himself as an anti-Trump Republican, while Democrats are portraying him as a “Never Trumper.” The unfolding situation has made Alsobrooks’ compliance with financial regulations a focal point in discussions about her candidacy, potentially overshadowing her campaign message and policy positions.