It is unclear why Moseley Braun initially hesitated on releasing her federal tax returns, but she ended up doing it Tuesday and made them public on her website.
The returns show Moseley Braun's business is struggling.
In 2008, Braun listed her wages at $55,000, but with business losses of over $220,000, Braun received a refund of over $11,000.
For 2009, Braun lists zero wages and her total income at just shy of $16,000. She received a refund of nearly $1,300.
To keep the company moving, especially in the fall of 2008, Braun says she had to delay paying her property taxes - but they were paid.
"People will draw the conclusions they draw. That is up to other people to make judgments and evaluations. I think as candidates, as a matter of transparency, you release your taxes," said another mayoral candidate, Gery Chico.
Chico chimed in on the tax return debate after Braun reversed her position on the issue and released her 2008 and 2009 returns. In 2008, Braun reported wages of $55,000, but her business lost more than $220,000. She got a refund of $11,000.
In 2009, she listed no wages and total income of just under $16,000 and received a refund of almost $1,300.
The former senator and U.S. ambassador now has Ambassador Organics, a company that markets tea, coffee and spices.
Braun also skipped a pair of campaign events Tuesday night and would not comment publicly about the returns. She released a statement saying, "My tax returns are one measure of the fight I have waged to keep my business running. It is not unlike what many small business owners and regular Chicago families are going through."
In contrast, Chico made millions from his law firm, and Rahm Emanuel and his wife made nearly $2 million over the past five years.
City Clerk Miguel Del Valle's returns show his principle income is his $114,000 a year salary as city clerk.
"It's important for people to know when they see my tax returns that I have not lived off that trough and that I have not made millions of dollars because my life has been spent as a public servant, serving the people," Del Valle said.
Braun did not show up for a scheduled appearance at a gay, lesbian and transgender group meeting Tuesday night. She was also nowhere to be found an a town hall event.
Braun had no scheduled events Wednesday, but released the following statement:
A statement released by Braun says in part, "My tax returns are one measure of the fight I have waged to keep my business running. It is not unlike what many small business owners and regular Chicago families are going through."
Despite releasing the tax returns, many questioned remained becuse she did not supply any attachments or scheduled schedules with those tax returns.
