Congressman Underreports Value of His D.C. Home

Roll Call is reporting (subscription only) that Rep. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) -- NOT TO BE CONFUSED with Ward 8 D.C. Council member and former mayor Marion Barry -- grossly understated the value of his Capitol Hill rowhouse on his annual financial disclosure forms.

In May, Berry filed a financial disclosure form reporting the value of the house at between $250,000 and $500,000, the same value that he has listed on his disclosure forms each year.

But according to District of Columbia tax records, the current assessed value of the house is $947,080, and the proposed 2010 assessment value is $864,970, reflecting the drop in Capitol Hill property values.

Considering the apparent steady stream of stories like this, it's a wonder there are any members of Congress at all who aren't royally screwing up and/or lying about their taxes/financial disclosure info.