A White House spokeswoman said Tuesday the failure of Defense Secretary nominee Bobby Ray Inman to pay Social Security taxes on a part-time housekeeper does not disqualify him for the top Pentagon post.
Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers also reminded reporters Inman is now in compliance with the law, although he had delayed paying the $6,000 in back taxes until he was tapped for the Cabinet. He brought up the problem when he underwent a preliminary vetting.Myers said that Inman thought that the law, which led the White House to withdraw the nomination of Zoe E. Baird as attorney general, was going to be changed by Congress. Baird failed to pay Social Security for her domestic help.
"It's not disqualifying," Myers told reporters repeatedly.
Inman, 62, who would replace Defense Secretary Les Aspin, faces Senate confirmation hearings in January.