The Rev. Al Sharpton lately has come into prominence as an imposing figure as men in power lined up to exclaim their admiration for him. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo hailed him as a civil rights icon. President Obama sent an aide to read a message commending Mr. Sharpton’s “dedication to the righteous cause of perfecting our union”.

But despite this rise in power Mr. Sharpton has apparently sidestepped the inevitable obligations to pay taxes as public records show more than $4.5 million in current state and federal tax liens against him and his for-profit businesses.

During a news conference at the headquarters of his National Action Network in Harlem, Read More