WaPo On Extreme Trump Golf Course Valuations

Thanks to reader Scott for sending Drew Harwell's Washington Post look at the ultra-low valuations Donald Trump's lawyers give for his properties in court, as compared to his election disclosure forms.

The differences are staggering but defended by Trump's lawyer this way:

In rural Iredell County, N.C., for instance, Trump’s lawyers have argued successfully to shrink the taxable value of his course there since he bought it in 2013. The $167,000 annual reduction in revenue to the county is a “pretty big chunk,” said Wes Long, an appraiser there, adding that the money comes from “whatever taxable money goes toward: salaries, raises, roads, schools, police.”

Alan Garten, the Trump Organization’s executive vice president and general counsel, defended Trump’s tax disputes as a legal, prudent way of doing business and saving cash. The higher values listed on the federal form reflects the unique merit of the Trump brand, he added, which can boost the courses’ sales value in a way that won’t be reflected on local tax rolls.

“When you’re talking about properties that are owned by Mr. Trump, there is an intrinsic value associated with those properties because he is associated or owns those properties,” Garten said. “There’s never been anyone like Mr. Trump, with his net worth, to run for the highest office in the land.”

No one will argue with that last point!