WASHINGTON — The White House press office confirmed that Nancy Killefer, who was to be chief performance officer, a newly created federal post, has withdrawn her candidacy because of tax problems.
She becomes the third Obama pick for a high visibility post to have tax problems revealed. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was confirmed anyhow; HHS pick and former Sen. Tom Daschle appears to have enough support to be confirmed despite his.
But Killefer bowed out and she and the White House wwere expected to say more about it today. The Associated Press reported earlier this month that she had a lien on her home for unpaid taxes related to household help.
She's the second Obama pick to drop out; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson dropped his bid for commerce secretary because of a corruption investigation involving a donor's dealings in his state.