Federal Reserve Governor Lisa cook Identified Property as ’Vacation Home’ While Seeking Tax Break
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook designated a property in Atlanta as a ”vacation home” in documents filed seeking a tax break, despite previously claiming a primary residence elsewhere, according to records reviewed by USA TODAY. The revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of CookS financial dealings and ongoing criticism from former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the Federal Reserve’s leadership and called for lower interest rates.
The documents, filed with the Fulton County, Georgia, tax assessor’s office, show Cook claimed a homestead exemption for the Atlanta property in 2022, identifying it as a second home used for vacations. Simultaneously,public records indicate Cook maintained a primary residence in Ann Arbor,Michigan,raising questions about the consistency of those claims. Homestead exemptions are typically granted to homeowners who occupy a property as their primary residence, offering important property tax reductions.
The disclosure adds to a series of controversies surrounding Cook, who was nominated by President biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2022. Trump has publicly attacked Cook, and recently sought a court order to remove her from the Fed, alleging conflicts of interest related to her husband’s mortgage lending buisness.A judge has so far rejected those efforts, allowing Cook to remain on the board while the case proceeds.
The scrutiny extends beyond Cook. Recent reporting by Reuters revealed that Bill Pulte, a vocal critic of Cook, and his parents had also faced questions regarding their claims of primary residency for tax purposes. Pulte’s father and stepmother had declared two homes in different states as their primary residence, leading to the revocation of a tax exemption in Michigan and a demand for back taxes.
the Federal Reserve declined to comment on Cook’s Atlanta property. cook has not publicly addressed the specific details of the tax filing. The timing of this revelation is particularly sensitive as the Federal Reserve weighs future interest rate decisions, a topic on which Trump has been particularly outspoken.
