Here's a link to the letter that Rep. Shirley Ringo's attorney, Robert Huntley, delivered to the Idaho Attorney General's office yesterday on secret tax deals, with the three new sworn statements attached along with an earlier affidavit from Stan Howland. One note: One of the affidavits names two names, both of North Idaho legislators. The affidavit of Joe Schwartz, former longtime head of the North Idaho office of the state Tax Commission, includes a comment about  "Representative Hart of Athol," saying he "refuses to file or pay taxes." Hart's tax case, which became public when he filed an appeal to the state Board of Tax Appeals this spring, indicates he failed to file state tax returns for three years in the 1990s, but there's no indication that he's failed to file since, though he's disputing the amount due.

The affidavit also references "Senator Shawn Keough" as an example of lawmakers who allegedly threatened to "punish" the Tax Commission if it attempted to enforce certain laws and allegedly advised constituents not to comply. Keough said, "I don't recall ever saying anything like that. I don't remember anyone by that name. I would never tell anyone to break the law." She added, "I am pretty astounded by the charge." Said Keough, R-Sandpoint, "At this point, so that the air can be cleared, I would welcome a full investigation and perhaps a court of law is where that needs to occur to remove any cloud of impropriety or political pressure."