First a plea bargain, now a tax break

[daleo]

1. A slight spin on 'club fed.' Rahim Jaffer is getting another break – about $145 worth on his 2010 taxes for donating to a charity in addition to paying a fine for careless driving.

The former Edmonton Conservative MP pleaded guilty to a reduced charge last week and was fined $500. More serious charges of impaired driving, cocaine possession and speeding were dropped. In addition to the fine, he also made a voluntary charitable donation of $500.
...
Yesterday, the Ontario Attorney General’s office said Mr. Jaffer had made a contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. But spokeswoman Valerie Hopper said it was a “voluntary payment.”

“This charitable donation was in addition to the court ordered fine of $500. Only the court ordered requirements are enforceable by the court,” she said.
...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/first-a-plea-bargain-now-a-tax-break-for-rahim-jaffer/article1502917/
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As many people have pointed out, he is not getting any special break here. However, his contribution was announced publicly to soften the opprobrium of the drunk driving and coke charges being dropped, so it is in fact newsworthy. We all make charitable contributions, but anonymously. His contribution was deemed newsworthy, and was announced part of the plea bargain deal news. That means the tax deduction angle is newsworthy too.