Delco Council President Womack failed to list six-figure tax debts on ethics forms

Delaware County Council President Richard Womack failed to disclose more than $160,000 in tax debts on four consecutive Pennsylvania ethics filings, declaring on each form that he had no creditors — even as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and local governments pursued him for unpaid taxes.

Using the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, Fideri News Network obtained four SEC-1 Statements of Financial Interests filed by Womack covering calendar years 2021 through 2024. Block 9 of the form asks filers to identify all creditors to whom more than $6,500 is owed. On each of the four forms, Womack checked the box indicating he had none.

Womack, a Democrat, was elected to county council in 2021 and elevated to council president in January 2026. He earns approximately $51,000 annually from the part-time position. 

The county passed tax increases of five, 24, and 19% for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. While those increases total 48% in the aggregate, because each is applied to the already-increased base, the net effect for a county homeowner is a 53% increase compared to 2023. Womack voted for the first and last of those tax increases, but voted ‘no’ on the 24% increase in 2025, a year Womack was running for re-election.

Court records show the IRS filed a federal tax lien against Womack in July 2025 for $141,539 in unpaid income taxes — $45,088 for tax year 2021 and $96,451 for tax year 2022. The underlying debts existed during each of the four years Womack filed his disclosures.

Delaware County property tax records show Womack also carries delinquent local property taxes on two Darby Township properties — 909 Barker Road and 629 Greenhill Road — totaling approximately $19,400 in remaining balances across county, school district, and municipal levies. Records show payments have been made against the delinquent balances on both properties, consistent with a payment plan arrangement Womack previously acknowledged. However, county tax records show no payments posted on current-year property tax bills for either property dating back to 2022. 

In other words, while the payment plan has reduced his oldest delinquencies, county records appear to indicate Womack has not paid a dollar in current-year property taxes on either property since 2022.

The size of Womack’s federal tax liability offers a window — however imperfect — into his income during those years. According to IRS tax rate schedules, a federal income tax liability of $45,088 for tax year 2021 would correspond to taxable income of roughly $175,000 to $210,000 for a single filer, or somewhat higher for a married couple filing jointly. 

The $96,451 liability for tax year 2022 would correspond to taxable income of roughly $275,000 to $310,000 for a single filer. 

Such estimates can vary significantly based on filing status, deductions, credits, and other factors not reflected in a lien filing — meaning the true income picture could differ materially from these figures. What the lien does establish plainly is that Womack’s federal tax obligations during those years far exceeded what his $51,000 county council salary alone would have generated.

The income estimates, however imperfect, create a striking contrast. A public official whose federal tax liability suggests earnings well into six figures apparently could not manage a county property tax bill that, in some years, amounted to less than $300.

The SEC-1 instructions, published by the State Ethics Commission, are explicit. Filers “must” list any creditor to whom more than $6,500 is owed. The only exemptions are home mortgages, home equity loans, and debts between immediate family members. Tax debts owed to government entities are not exempted.

Under the Ethics Act, knowing violations of the financial disclosure requirements can result in civil penalties.

The forms are also signed under a state criminal statute governing false statements to government agencies, classified as a third-degree misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to one year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine per offense.

Womack did not respond to questions submitted through the county’s communications office. The questions asked why the federal and local tax debts were not listed on any of the four forms, whether he contends that government taxing authorities do not qualify as creditors under the form’s requirements, whether he intends to file amended disclosures, and whether the federal lien has been satisfied or remains active.

County Council did not respond to questions asking whether members were aware of the federal tax lien when they elected Womack council president for 2026, and whether the county has any policy addressing disclosure of significant tax obligations by officials in leadership roles.

Womack addressed his tax situation publicly last January, explaining he hit a streak of bad luck while simultaneously caring for an ill mother.

“Situations arise and [I was] taking responsibility to help others,” Womack said. “Sometimes by helping others, sometimes I ended up falling behind … I realize I am going to pay my obligations. I have done so. I’m up-to-date on my payment plan and it will be done this year,” he said at a council meeting.

According to reporting by the Delaware County Times, Womack’s mother passed away in 2012. 

“Things began to build up because I was taking care of her … and taking care of some other family members,” Womack told the paper in January. “Some of them are living with me now.”

NOTE TO READERS: This story was reported entirely by Todd Shepherd. The first draft of this article was written with significant assistance from an AI writing tool as part of an editorial experiment at Broad + Liberty. Shepherd reviewed, edited, and is responsible for all factual content.

Todd Shepherd is Broad + Liberty’s chief investigative reporter. Send him tips at [email protected], or use his encrypted email at [email protected]. @shepherdreports