Democratic Party Filing IRS Complaint Against Durant

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Michigan Democratic Party is filing a complaint with the IRS against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Clark Durant.

State Party Chair Mark Brewer claims Durant and his daughter have been paid for their work at Cornerstone schools through a children's charity.

"Durant and his daughter have taken nearly $1.4 million from the Genesis Foundation since 2009," said Brewer.

Brewer says that violates federal tax laws, but Durant says he is paid $385,000 a year through a private foundation, and that the work was vetted by attorneys.

"Durant's ... charity, the Genesis Foundation, seriously violates the law and is a disgraceful attempt, display of greed, that until now has gone uncovered," added Brewer.

Durant, the head of Detroit's Cornerstone Schools, denies the allegations.

"They are going to, in order to pay our compensation, consistent with an independent board, I have never voted on anything involving my compensation," said Durant.

"The truth behind all of this is that Mark Brewer has heard the footsteps of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans and Tea Party people who have been gathering momentum with me," said Durant.

Durant said the Democrats see that he is gaining momentum in the Senate race, where he faces Pete Hoekstra  and Randy Hekman in the primary. Democrat Debbie Stabenow is the incumbent.

See more about this from this week's "Michigan Matters" episode featuring all the candidates HERE.