Camilla mayor Rufus Davis takes to social media to respond to tax questions
New Camilla mayor Rufus Davis, left, and City Manager Bennett Adams talk during a recent City Council meeting in Camilla. Davis took to Facebook Thursday to defend himself in the matter of a $2.9 million tax levy placed against him last week by the IRS. (File Photo)
By Terry Lewis
CAMILLA — Faced with a nearly $3 million tax levy from the IRS, embattled Camilla Mayor Rufus Davis has refused to speak directly with the Albany media, instead taking to Facebook to address the matter.
In response to The Herald’s story on Thursday about the mayor’s tax problems, Davis posted the following statement on Facebook late Thursday:
“I would like to take this opportunity to address the recent IRS tax levy against me in the amount of $2.9 million, reported in the media,” Davis wrote. “As a factual matter, I have been extremely fortunate and successful in my business and professional career. This is a fact of which I am very proud, having worked my way from Southwest Georgia to law school, Wall Street and the world.
“During the financial crisis of 2008, however, I sustained substantial financial losses due to my holdings in both stocks and real estate. These sectors were hit very hard. Because of this I incurred a tax liability over several years which is still outstanding. There is no question.
“My attorneys and accountant are in negotiation with the IRS. We estimate my true tax liability at less than five percent of that reported. I look forward to a resolution.”
Davis thanked his supporters and blamed the publicity on the tax debt on “politics.”
In his short tenure as mayor, Davis has had a strained relationship with the the Camilla City Council and City Manager Bennett Adams over issues including Davis’ demands for keys to City Hall, lowering utility rates, speakers at City Council meetings, and his call for construction of a city swimming pool.
At Monday’s meeting, the council members decided to require all individuals who want to speak before the body to submit their request to speak and the topic that they want to discuss five days before the meeting so that they can be placed on the meeting agenda.
In addition, the City Council suspended work sessions, which previously had been conducted on Tuesdays in the weeks preceding and following the monthly Monday council business meeting.
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