Md. Goes After Tax Scofflaws

SILVER SPRING, Md. - You've been called. You've been contacted by mail. You've even been taken to court -- and still you haven't paid your taxes? Maryland's Comptroller Peter Franchot has a message for you:

"We're after you, and we're going to put you on this list and make you visible until you cry 'uncle.'"

By "this list" he means a Website where people and companies who owe state taxes are cited for being scofflaws. Franchot says the top 50 tax scofflaws have had their day in court -- and lost.

"We sought to work out some kind of good faith payment plan, and we essentially have been told to go jump in the lake."

So now the state of Maryland is playing hardball, and a public shaming for the individuals and companies who owe -- by Franchot's estimate -- $6 million in delinquent taxes.

Franchot announced the move at Sligo Creek Elementary School in Silver Spring, where he says much needed renovations have been stalled -- in part because people don't pay their taxes.

Principal Diantha Swift says kids at Sligo Creek understand basic citizenship, like paying taxes.

"We respect each other, we respect property and we respect ourselves every single day."

And she says kids get the point.

"You need to be a responsible citizen and do your part to support what needs to be done."

Franchot says the public outing of tax cheats has been used for years and it has been productive.

"As soon as they see their name up on the web, we get phone calls saying can't we work something out?"

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