Former Idaho State Lawmaker’s Finances to be Combed Through

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bankruptcy judge has ordered a tax-protesting former Idaho state representative to submit to intense new scrutiny of his finances, something federal lawyers say is necessary to prevent him from hiding assets from creditors including the U.S. government.

Phil Hart now must appear at a hearing May 20 in U.S. District Court in Coeur d'Alene, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Terry Myers ordered Monday. This examination will scrutinize entities linked to Hart that prosecutors fear he's using to hide assets, including a tractor, an Audi sedan and cash.

Hart, a Republican who lost his bid for re-election last May, has been ordered by courts to pay federal and state governments more than $600,000 in delinquent income taxes and penalties. Hart said Tuesday that the hearing will help prove he's hiding nothing.